BRANCHES of Royal Mail will be looking to stamp their authority on the field in a specially arranged football tournament next month.

They will be going head to head against each other during a series of seven-a-side matches to be played at the Post Office Sports and Social Club in Gardiners Lane South, Basildon, on Saturday, May 24.

And customer service advisor Martin Child is expecting an enjoyable afternoon.

"There is going to be so much happening," he said.

"We have four pitches where games will be going on all the time and our apprentices, who have organised this, all deserve great credit.

"They've put this on as part of the NVQ they are currently studying for but we never imagined it would prove to be so popular.

"Royal Mail teams are coming from all over to take part and there is plenty of friendly banter already going on about it all.

"There are already 20 teams playing and Dagenham have ex-West Ham player Keith Rowland in their side so it could be quite a good standard too."

As well as the football, there will be a bar available on the day, plus face painting, bouncy castle, laser shooting, a raffle, a beat the goalie competition and a balloon modeller.

All money raised will go to Havens Hospices.