SOAP fans joined football supporters yesterday as a team of television stars took on a local Sunday league side.The cast of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks yesterday returned to Bury St Edmunds for the third consecutive year when they took on local division two Sunday league side the Bennett Arms.

SOAP fans joined football supporters yesterday as a team of television stars took on a local Sunday league side.

The cast of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks yesterday returned to Bury St Edmunds for the third consecutive year when they took on local division two Sunday league side the Bennet Arms.

Stars, including Nick Pickard, who plays Tony, and his real-life and on-screen brother John (Dom), took part in the eagerly contested clash and later posed for pictures and autographs with starstruck fans.

The match, played at Bury Town's Ram Meadow stadium, raised money for the Bury-based Priory Special School and was sponsored by town firm Frames Conservatories Direct.

The company's managing director Adrian Lewis said: “We wanted people to come along to not only see the soap stars in action but also raise money for such a worthy cause.

“All cash collected on the day will go towards new equipment and facilities for the Priory School which caters for children with learning difficulties.

“The reason we continue to be involved in sponsoring the event is that we all live locally and are committed to helping and enhancing the region.”

The crowd were also entertained by a hit the crossbar challenge followed by a raffle and post match presentation.