AMONG the donations of cash which have been flooding in to the Lancashire Magic Eye Cancer Scanner Appeal, has been a gift which will get the ball rolling in more ways than one.

Organisers of the appeal, which will raise £200,000 to pay for a special ultrasound endoscope to improve diagnosis and accuracy of treatment, were surprised to receive a football to add to their donations.

The ball, signed by the players of Blackburn Rovers, was donated to the appeal by John Hill of Barnes Street Garage in Accrington.

John was at a club supporters' dinner and bid £60 for the ball. But, rather than keeping the sought-after ball for himself, he decided to donate it to the Magic Eye appeal.

He made the decision because his family had recently been touched by the disease. His wife, Valerie said: "My mother has cancer of the oesophagus and we are going through a bad time.

"When we heard about the appeal, we both felt we wanted to do something with it. We thought it would be nice to donate the ball to the appeal, and it could perhaps raise even more money, or be given as a prize."

Appeal co-ordinator Sheila Shaw said: "It is a very nice idea and we hope we can put it to good use in a raffle or some other event."

The ball is now with organisers of the appeal, waiting for an event where it can be used. If you would like to help call 01254 293272.