LAKESIDE Hammers are once again honouring the region's emergency service workers by offering them free admission to tonight's Craven Shield match against Peterborough and Poole.

All emergency service members and their families will be admitted free to the event along with members of the armed services.

All Hammers season ticket holders have already been sent two complementary tickets to allow them to bring friends or workmates.

Lakeside Community Officer Mark Sexton states: "We have been working hard on securing our place in the local community and this is another step down that path.

"We hope that all those people that do such a fantastic and worthy job will take the opportunity to enjoy a great night out with us courtesy of the Hammers.

"We had originally invited the 999 Services along with Sponsors, Advertisers and guests of our Season Ticket holders, to the League match against Coventry back in July but, unfortunately, that fell foul of the weather.

"Those original tickets will be valid for Friday's triangular match, which involves the top Elite League riders from the Hammers, Peterborough and Poole".

Serving officers, crew, paramedics and support staff from the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, the Ambulance Service. the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Prison Service plus the armed services can gain entry for themselves, and their family, on production of the relevant photo I/D card.

Hammers boss Stuart Douglas commented: "The Craven Shield match against the Panthers and the Pirates is an important one for us.

"The team will be going all out to claim the win. Both the visiting sides were in the top four in the League and include the likes of Jason Crump, Bjarne Pedersen and Hans Andersen in their sides.

"It won't be easy for us but watching Andreas (Jonsson) racing against Jason (Crump) and Hans (Andersen) is something I am sure that the fans can't wait to see."

In addition to Hans Andersen the Panthers include in their side Niels Kristian Iversen, who won the recent Grand Prix Final that puts him into the 2008 GP series, Kenneth Bjerre, Piotr Swiderski, Daniel King and Ulrich Ostergaard.

The Pirates will field new Polish signing Adrian Gomolski, Edward Kennett, Troy Batchelor and Jason Doyle in addition to their two GP stars Jason Crump and Bjarne Pedersen. The Hammers expect to field their usual side of Andreas Jonsson, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Adam Shields, Leigh Lanham, Ricky Kling and Andreas Messing.

The action will get underway at the Arena-Essex Raceway at 8pm although there will be a series of junior heats taking place from 6.45pm.