A MEMORIAL ice hockey match will be held in tribute to a former player who took his own life.

For the second year in a row Blackburn Falcons and Wyre Seagulls will play each other at Planet Ice Blackburn in memory of Robert William Craig, of Edenfield.

The 30-year-old, who played for both teams, was found dead in a disused mill in Ramsbottom on June 21 in 2017.

Nearly a year ago an inquest heard Mr Craig experienced low moods and depression, which was believed to have contributed to his death.

The ice hockey match has again been set up to raise awareness about mental health problems in sport.

Lead event coordinator Carl Everitt, 36, who knew Mr Craig, said: “It’s a bit overwhelming and surreal. It started out as a hockey match between two teams in memory of Robert and has now become so much more than that.”

He said the match would raise funds for mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) so the group can continue to support suicide prevention in men under 45.

More than 2,000 people watched the game in the Grimshaw Retail Park venue last year and is expected more will turnout this year.

One of the top coaches in the sport, Ryan Finnerty, a former professional ice hockey player from Canada, will be on the sidelines for the game.

It will take place on Sunday, April 21 from 5pm. Tickets will cost £3 for adults and £1 for under 16s. The proceeds will go to charity.