The family and friends of a 29-year-old man who lost lost his battle with cancer last year have attended a memorial football match to raise money for charity.

Alex Demain, who worked for Crohn’s and Colitis UK in St Albans, died in September - 18 months after being diagnosed with cancer.

Both he and his sister Sophie were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease , which causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system, when they were children.

Alex’s former team Sandridge Rovers took on a team made up of Alex’s friends to raise money for Crohns’s and Colitis UK on Sunday.

The match, which saw hundreds of supporters attend, raised a total of £9,100 - including more than £300 raised by Waitrose in Harpenden and a £500 anonymous donation.

At auction, a signed David Beckham shirt was sold for £400, a boxing glove signed by Antony Joshua raised £550, and the chance to drive a Bentley for the weekend made £850.

Demain FC, made up of Alex’s good friends, won the match at Sandridge Rovers' home ground in High Street 2-0.

Ex-premier league footballer Jake Livermore was in attendance and contributed a signed shirt.

Alex’s sister Sophie, 28, a PE teacher who also lives in St Albans, said: “I am extremely overwhelmed by the amount of people that showed their support at the event whether they were playing, baking cakes, giving or buying prizes for the raffle/auction or simply enjoying the day in the sun.

“It has been extremely hard for my parents and I, but seeing the way Alex impacted so many people’s lives warms our hearts.

“Alex is gone sadly but he will never be forgotten.

“I spoke to so many people on Sunday about Alex and I know his legacy will shine bright.

“Thank you for from all the Demains, your support means the world to us.”