THOUSANDS of pounds were raised at a celebrity charity football match for Guide Dogs.

Matches took place at Bowers and Pitsea’s Len Salmon stadium, Crown Avenue.

A team of celebrities competed against charity fundraisers and Southend United legends.

Among those to appear on the day were Scott Robinson, Basildon born member of the boyband Five, former Southend manager Steve Tilson and players Adam Barrett and Leon Constantine.

Tish Simmons, who went viral in 2014 for her Vine, “I’m in my mum’s car” as well as X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent stars, Che Chesterman and Paul Manners also appeared.

The day of matches, attended by about 600 people raised more than £4,000 for the Guide Dogs Charity, which supports blind people who rely on their canine companions through their daily lives.

A minute’s silence was also observed in tribute to one of the charity team’s players, Ben Taylor, who lost his battle with cancer a few weeks before the event.

He was 40-years-old.

Organiser Chris Cooper said: “It was just a great day, apart from the heat at times.

“The children all enjoyed the bouncy castles and there was so much happening around the games.

“I cannot thank everybody enough for being involved in the day.” The annual event will return in 2019.