A Ledbury lollipopman has shown his true colours to mark today's sell-out memorial football match at New Street starring Premiership giants Manchester United.

Tony Coppin has painted a watercolour for the historic visit of the Red Devils in tribute to three members of a Ledbury family who died in a motorway accident.

Mr Coppin's commemorative painting features the Manchester United logo, manager Alex Ferguson and Ledbury's Market House and he will be handing it to Old Trafford officials.

Avid Manchester United fans Martin McCoig-Lees, wife Denise and their nine-year-old son, Ryan, were among seven people who died when a minibus taking them to Manchester Airport crashed in July.

Martin, who ran a newsagents' shop with his wife at Homend, was a dedicated season ticket holder and had taken all three sons, Matthew, Richard and Ryan, to Old Trafford and other venues.

The football match, featuring Manchester United's second string, has been organised by family friend Chris Stephens, chairman of Ledbury Town.

A sell-out crowd of 1,250 is expected to flock to New Street together with television camera crews and Manchester United's own channel, MUTV.

Mr Stephens, a Manchester City fan, said: "Everybody is very excited about the game. All tickets have now been sold and it will be the highest profile match in the history of the club. But we must not forget the reason why Manchester United are coming."

The match kicks off at 7.30pm and proceeds are going to St Michael's Hospice and a cause that will directly benefit Ledbury yet to be decided.