THE gaffer of a top football team will be enjoying a different kind of match when he opens a new club in Droitwich Spa.

Stuart Watkiss, manager of the Kidderminster Harriers, will spark some interest in the town's new matchstick modelling club next Thursday.

He will officially open the first session of the club at the Droitwich Heritage Centre in Victoria Square at 8.40am.

Mr Watkiss was recently appointed as manager of the Harriers following stints at Wolves, Crewe and Mansfield.

Terry Hickman, who is launching the club for pensioners and the disabled, is delighted to have attracted a celebrity to do the honours.

"It's all systems go now," said the Hanbury resident.

The start of the club was put on hold after Mr Hickman, who lives in Court Close, could not amass enough matchsticks.

However, following a story in the Advertiser and a donation from the Droitwich Round Table's chairman, Simon Cosson, he could go ahead with getting the group together.

He has also received donations of glue and varnish from Homebase, in Worcester, and Travis Perkins, in Bromsgrove. The talented craftsman is stumping up the money for the hire of the hall out of his own pension.

He will be showing off the life size Victorian lamppost he has made from matchsticks, at the grand opening.

Anyone interested in donating materials, particularly matches without heads, to Mr Hickman or joining the club can call him on 01527 821757.