A GROUP of Ewood mothers have launched a fundraising frenzy to buy a football pitch for their soccer-mad kids.

Although Hollingbank Community Association has only six members it has raised £1,300 through boot sales, sponsored walks, fun days, raffles and duck races in just three months. The group needs to raise £2,000 towards converting a patch of a playground in Wolseley Street into a pitch before Blackburn with Darwen Council will award matched funding.

Group member Rhona King, of Wolseley Street, said: "There are lots of young lads who live and breathe football around here but the field is so muddy and marshy they have nowhere to play. We're desperately trying to get somewhere for them."

The group will hold a fundraising concert at the Redbrick Theatre in Aqueduct Street, Ewood, on November 6, from 7.30pm. Local band Gone Beggin' and 10-year-old pop princess Brooke Aspin will perform. Tickets cost £5.