The Lord's Taverners will be bringing their team of star cricketers and showbiz celebrities to play Sudbury Cricket Club on Sunday, July 27.

The Taverners asked to make their only appearance in East Anglia this year a return to the town after a highly successful fixture at the club's Friars Street ground three years ago.

Club chairman Roger Troughton said: "A major fund-raising event like this cannot start to get off the ground without generous backing from sponsors.

"We are delighted to report deals have been confirmed that already carry us past the £12,000 raised last time.

"Approximately two-thirds of the income goes to supporting the work of the Taverners in helping young people with all manner of special needs to have a sporting chance.

"The income includes £1,700 from the auction of a framed, signed shirt of the England Ashes-winning team from 2005, which was donated to the club by Red Bull. The auction was staged in Dubai by the Taverners."

Troughton said in addition to three major sponsors that initially came on board in the form of Barclays Wealth, Symantec and Waitrose, six more had now committed themselves to the event.

They are local solicitors Steed and Steed, along with jewellers Jonathan Lambert and Travel and Leisure Group, plus Granville Developments, Geoff CC Card Club and Line and Length Sports Solutions.

Troughton continued: "These backers give the event a concrete base and we are also very pleased to say that another 20 companies have agreed to support a special 36-page match day souvenir programme which will include more than a dozen specially commissioned articles and photographic spreads.

"Our next target will be to sell more than 200 luncheon marquee places and we are already well on the way to doing that."

Any individuals or organisations interested in participating in the event can contact Roger Troughton on 01787-373313 or 07979-528858.