team-mates and pals of a hugely popular amateur rugby league player who died in a car accident last year have raised £1,365 in his memory.

Pilkington Recs amateur rugby league club has amassed the fund as a mark of respect to Dave Lang, who died aged 35 in an accident on the Rainford by-pass in December.

Their tribute was given backing from Saints skipper Paul Sculthorpe, who donated a Great Britain rugby jersey that he wore against Australia in 1997 to be raffled.

Hundreds of tickets were snapped up by members of St Helens rugby league community, while donations to the remembrance fund were given by local teams and clubs based in Cumbria. The money will go towards a trust fund for Dave's five-year-old son, James.

John Ledger, Recs' first team coach, said: "The club was shattered by Langy's death, and we still think about him and miss him greatly.

"If this donation helps his family in even the slightest way then we will be happy.

"We want to thank everyone in the game for their contributions - and Paul Sculthorpe. We've been touched by their generosity."

Scully's shirt was won by Ste Hughes, of Ashton-in-Makerfield.