A host of Premier League football stars, former players and celebrities from the world of television and business will join Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts at a fund-raising gala dinner for his charitable foundation.

The Blackburn forward launched the Jason Roberts Foundation to use football as a way of helping children and young people in the UK and the Caribbean.

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, his brother Anton and Bobby Zamora from West Ham, Wigan's Emile Heskey and several of Roberts' team-mates at Blackburn will be attending the dinner, along with Aston Villa's Zat Knight and Portsmouth's Sean Davis. Football legend Cyrille Regis will also be lending his support on the night.

The gala will be held at the five-star Lowry Hotel from 7pm on Tuesday December 4, with an auction and raffle following dinner, and all proceeds going to the Jason Roberts Foundation.

Former footballer Chris Kamara, who is now a football presenter, will be the host for the evening.

Roberts said: "The gala evening will be a night of great entertainment and fun with a touch of glamour, and I am delighted to have the support of my fellow professionals, football greats like my uncle Cyrille Regis, businesses and supporters.

"The aim of the Foundation is to use football and sport as a hook to allow us to show kids that they can be valuable and worthy members of society, while promoting good health and a positive view on life.

"I realise there are many worthy schemes already running aimed at young people but at the Foundation we aim to speak to youngsters in a language they understand and show them what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. I am really pleased that the Foundation can influence the lives of young people through sport in the UK and the Caribbean."

There are some tickets still available. Call 020 7604 5202 or email info@malvernassociates.co.uk