AN MP and a would-be MP have been collecting Blackburn Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Burnley shirts to send to Africa.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said people wishing to support the charity appeal could drop old unwanted football shirts off at his office in Accrington or at the town hall.

The football shirts will be donated to charity Kits4Causes, which supports various charities that use football to achieve their aims by donating football kits.

Mr Jones said: “Kids in Africa are inspired by football and especially Britain who gave to the world the beautiful game.

“Many children live in conditions of poverty we can’t imagine and football is their one escape.

“Wouldn't it be great to see more Rovers, Burnley and Stanley shirts in Africa instead of Chelsea and Arsenal, encouraging young football fans in Africa to follow real football clubs?

“We are looking to get a hundred old shirts donated and the council have kindly agreed to collect them at any council or Hyndburn Leisure building.

“I hope everyone gets behind the Kits4Causes campaign, and gives a proud part of East Lancashire to Africa.”

And Will Straw, who will stand for Labour in Rossendale and Darwen in the General Election next year, said he supported the cause and had also donated one of his old Rovers shirts.

He said: “I have bought so many Rovers shirts over the years and while I use one or two to play five-a-side most end up sitting at the bottom of the wardrobe.

“So it was great to donate an old shirt to Kits4Causes who will send it to children in Africa who would dearly love something to play in.

“It is great to think that my old shirt could become someone else’s favourite new one.”