A HAMPSHIRE couple are in line for a community award after buying 6,000 football tickets so disabled, sick and disadvantaged children can see their sporting heroes in action.

Adam Gregory and his wife Tracey, founders of charity U Support, have been nominated for the Flybe Local Heroes Awards under the Charity in the Community category.

It means they could be awarded £3,000 in cash and £4,000 to be used on the Flybe travel network so they can buy more tickets and fly in children from Guernsey and Jersey to enjoy the big match atmosphere.

The couple use their own money to make sure thousands of children enjoy free match day experiences at Southampton FC and 14 other football clubs across the UK.

Neil Ward, a steward at Southampton FC, who nominated them, said: “In all my time I have never come across anyone as committed to putting a smile on the face of disabled and disadvantaged children as Adam and Tracey Gregory.”

The Flybe Local Heroes Awards have three categories: Sport in the Community, Education in the Community and Charity in the Community.

The winner of each category judged by Saints legend Matt Le Tissier, Flybe head of marketing Ian Taylor and Daily Echo editor Ian Murray will get the £7,000 bursary.

Nominations close at 5pm today.