ACTORS, comedians and footballers will descend on a tiny country village for a star-studded charity cricket match.

A team captained by comedian Nick Hancock for the Cholmondeley Cricket Club contest could include Chris Evans, Patrick Kielty, Dermot O'Leary and Phil Tufnell.

The likes of Chris Tarrant, James Nesbitt, Robert Powell, Tim Rice and Gary Speed may feature for their opponents, led by Lord Francis Stafford, president of the North West Lords Taverners.

The match, from 10.30am on Friday June 30, will raise funds for The Lord's Taverners, a charity which aims to provide sporting opportunities for children with special needs.

It supplies mini-buses for special needs' organisations and creates recreational facilities in conjunction with the National Playing Fields' Association.

Chris Talbot, chairman of the North West Lady Taverners, said: 'We are delighted Cholmondeley Cricket Club have invited us to share their venue.

'Half the proceeds of the event will go to The Taverners, whose motto is to give young people, particularly those with special needs, a sporting chance.

'It should be a great day and a memorable event. Chris Evans has told Nick Hancock that he intends to take the day off from his new Radio 2 show to come and play.

'The teams are not 100% confirmed yet, but this is a good and accurate reflection of who we are talking to.' Tickets, priced £600 per table of ten, will include a three-course lunch from Heathcotes followed by an auction.

The fundraising will continue the following evening with the Cholmondeley Ball, including dinner and a disco, with tickets again £600 per table of ten.

World Cup football will be shown on big screens at both events.

Tickets are available from Mark Fearnall on 07767 342507 or Peter Willis 07721 967109.