CELEBRITIES will turn out tonight to help raise money for a new astroturf facility for budding footballers in Beaconsfield.

Dennis Waterman, of TV series Minder and New Tricks fame, and Warren Clarke, who is famous for his roles in blockbusters such as A Clockwork Orange and as Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel in the crime drama Dalziel and Pascoe, will judge a karaoke contest for Beaconsfield Football Club's Youth Training Academy in their clubhouse in Farnham Royal.

First prize is £500 cash, with the winner chosen by the celebrities, and there will be many runner-up prizes donated by both national companies and ones from Beaconsfield and the surrounding area.

The club's chairman Grant Carr said that this is the first of many events needed to raise the £25,000 to build the training pitch.

He said: "The club has over 17 teams from the under sevens to the 18-year-olds. This would greatly enhance our club's training and playing abilities, being able to train all year round. Plus other sporting organisations will be able to hire the facility for their own teams to train on."

Organisers hope to raise the funds this year and have the project completed in time for next summer. Mr Carr believes the facility will greatly enhance the local sports scene.

"With the Olympics not far away, our astroturf will I am sure be in great demand from many local sporting sectors. We greatly appreciate local resident TV and film celebrities helping us with their time to promote our worthwhile project," Mr Carr added.

Organiser Micky Jaffa said the celebrities, who live in the area, agreed to take part while he was playing golf with them. "Dennis Waterman is a great golfer and so is Warren Clarke," Mr Jaffa said.