ENGLAND 1966 World Cup soccer hero Sir Geoff Hurst will be the guest speaker at a charity fundraising ball in memory of a Hampshire girl.

Hayley and Norm Steel's daughter Phoebe was born four weeks prematurely and died six weeks after her birth from a rare brain condition.

To mark what would have been Phoebe's first birthday, the Hedge End couple have organising Phoebe's Ball - a black tie fundraiser night which aims to raise more than £30,000 for charity.

The pair had been looking for a celebrity to raise the profile of the event, being held at the Hampshire Rose Bowl on September 28.

Now their dreams have come true after Sir Geoff, who scored a hat-trick as England beat West Germany 4-2 to lift the World Cup for their only time, agreed to be their guest speaker.

The former West Ham footballer has promised to bring with him a signed replica World Cup shirt to be auctioned.

Hayley and Norm are hoping that Phoebe's Ball will raise £30,000, which will be split between the neo-natal unit at Southampton's Princess Anne Hospital and Naomi House children's hospice.

Information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities is available at www.phoebesball.co.uk.