Former England and Aston Villa footballer Paul Merson will be the guest speaker at a charity sporting lunch at Drayton Manor Theme Park.

The theme park is calling on companies and businessmen and women from the region to book their tickets for the event, in order to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, St Giles’ Hospice and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Held in the park’s Tower Suite on December 6, the lunch will be hosted by BBC Radio WM’s Jimmy Franks. Guests will be further entertained by the comic wit of Ian ‘Sludge’ Lees.

The highlight of the lunch will be the auction of sporting memorabilia, proceeds of which will be donated to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and St Giles’ Hospital.

Lunch attendees will also be provided with a delicious four-course lunch, followed by coffee.

Tickets cost £57.50, while a table for 10 is £550. Call 01825 25240.