Soap stars from Emmerdale and The Bill are pushing out the boundaries for a charity cricket match in Bingley.

Fans will be able to see their favourite characters knock each other for six in the sporting competition to raise money for the Lord Mayor of Bradford's Appeal. And the stakes will be high as the two teams take to the wicket at Bradford and Bingley Sports Club in Wagon Lane on Sunday, August 4.

Chris Chittell, who plays Mayor of Emmerdale Eric Pollard, said they had been putting in the practice so the Yorkshire side could emerge victorious.

"We played against them last year and it got rained off so we want to show them who is boss - it will be the rurals versus the townies."

"It is going to be a star studded affair and the amazing thing is that it was originally just 11 people from The Bill coming along but now they all want to come everyone from the Detective Chief Inspector downwards.

Celebrities characters including Rodney Blackstock (Patrick Mower) Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) and Sydney Woolfe (Nathan Gladwell) and staff from Sun Hill station will be signing autographs.

"Betty Eagleton might even open the batting," said Chris, who said children's cancer charity Candlelighters, which is the Lord Mayor, Councillor Richard Wightman's chosen charity, is traditionally supported by the cast.

The Emmerdale team is coached by David Batty, who lives in Cullingworth and works for the Yorkshire Cricket Academy.

"I am very confident that we will win because we have a secret weapon -- all I can say is that Eric Pollard has been working very hard on his bowling," he said.

"We have not set a target but I would be delighted if we could raise £10,000 on the day to help the Lord Mayor's charity."

The event, which starts at noon, will also feature a children's fun fair, a bouncing castle, hook-a-duck and refreshments and admission for adults costs £2.50.