A PROUD father today spoke of his determination for his cricketing son's memory to live on through disadvantaged children -- ten years after he died.

A charity Cricket match in memory of former Lancashire player Ian Folley is expected to bring together some of the region's best players next month.

Ian, 30, a former pupil at Mansfield High School pupil, Brierfield, died in West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, in August 1993 after being hit in the eye with a cricket ball.

He had been playing cricket with his new club Whitehaven and a minor operation on a perforated eyeball went wrong. He collapsed after being given anaesthetic and despite doctors battling to save him for 80 minutes he died.

The event in Padiham has been organised by Ian's father, James Folley, to mark the tenth anniversary of his son's death and could become an annual event if enough interest is shown in it.

Mr Folley said it would be something his son would be proud of and he hoped it could be continued throughout the years as the Ian Folley Memorial Trophy.

The money raised at the event will go towards buying sports equipment for disadvantaged children.

Mr Folley, who lives in Clayton-le-Moors with his wife Constance, 64, is hoping to celebrate his son's short life by gathering the county's best cricketers for the charity match.

Padiham Cricket Club has allowed him to use its ground on August 31 this year to stage a match between two specially picked teams and a fun day.

Mr Folley, 64, said: "I have sent out invitations to all the county grounds, all clubs in the Lancashire League, the Ribblesdale League, the North Lancashire League and Bolton Leagues because he was well known in all these areas.

"On August 9 we will collect all the names in and select two teams to play against each other in Padiham on the 31st. We are also trying to organise a fun day to celebrate Ian's life and to try to to raise money to buy equipment for disadvantaged youngsters.

"A good cricket bat costs about £200 and there are a lot of children who want to play cricket but can't afford the equipment.

"Ian lived in Reedley before moving to Casterton Avenue in Burnley so he had never lost his roots and liked playing cricket with the young children. I think he would have been quite proud of what we are doing."

Mr Folley has already been promised a signed cricket bat from Surrey County Cricket Club and signed prints by Sir Jack Russell OBE, wicket keeper for Gloucester County Club, which will be auctioned at 4pm on the day of the match at the pavilion.

Mr Folley said: "It all depends on how the match goes but it would be nice to continue the event in future years. There is already an Ian Folley Memorial Trophy for golf at the Keighley Golf Club, where he was a keen golfer, but it would be nice to have one for cricket.

Mrs Folley said: "Ian would have taken all this in his stride. He wasn't one to seek limelight but I'm sure he would be pleased we were doing this for him and it will hopefully do something good for others too."

Ian played cricket for Nelson and Padiham as a young boy, before a short spell at Blackburn Northern. He then played for the Lancashire Federation before turning professional at the age of 18 and joining Lancashire County Cricket team.

A new pavilion at Whitehaven, Cumbria, has been jointly dedicated to Ian and another cricketer brought in to replace him who also died.