A Bury pub has launched a campaign urging football fans to donate their spare shirts to help under-privileged youngsters in Brazil before the country hosts this summer’s World Cup.

The Ainsworth Arms, in Bury and Bolton Road, is supporting Project Fair Play’s World Cup ‘Shirt Amnesty’ campaign.

The initiative calls on fans to donate old strips which will then be sent to favelas, or slum dwellings, in Brazil, where youngsters will wear them with pride during the tournament.

The project was launched during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when 20,000 football shirts were collected and distributed across the country.

Celia Heaton, general manager at the Ainsworth Arms, said: “Project Fair Play is set to make this year’s Football World Cup even more special as we enjoy the on-pitch excitement knowing that we’re helping to make football a fantastic experience for youngsters here and in Brazil too.”

Shirts can be dropped off at the pub until April 15.