Oxford United football fans, along with rivals Port Vale, helped raise more than £1,000 for a three-year-old girl with a rare disorder so that she might go on a cruise holiday.

Tess Sullivan, from Huncoat near Accrington is one of around 50 children in the world to have the genetic, degenerative Alexander Disease, the Oxford Mail reports.

To raise money for little Tess' trip onboard a Disney Cruise ship Dave Cudd, an Oxford United fan, addressed the crowd and told them about Tess' unfortunate condition.

He and fellow spectators collected £555 outside the stadium towards the £6,400 cost of the Disney cruise for her and her family.

Tim Rackley, the landlord of a local pub also lent a hand in getting more donations by charging £2 for fans to use the pub car park.

More than £1,540 was raised on that day and including donations taken at the Accrington versus Newcastle League Cup clash, the total is now about £2,465 –half what the family need for the cruise.

Mr Rackley, said: "Oxford, Port Vale, Newcastle and Accrington fans have all come together to help the Sullivan family. We want to do as much as we can to help the Sullivan family get the money together for this Disney cruise."