ENGLAND World Cup winner Roger Hunt and former test cricketer Ken Palmer are among the VIPs invited to the launch of a new book about the history of sport in Devizes.

Both men have written forewords for the book, Devizes Allsports.

Sports enthusiast Rick Kibby has spent three years researching and compiling the book.

It is a comprehensive history of every kind of sport that has been played in and around the town since it was granted its Royal Charter in 1141.

The book covers everything from royal hunting parties in the Deer Park to martial arts like Judo, Tae Kwon Do and Kendo.

Naturally, the biggest entry in the book is for association football and Devizes Town Football Club which had its heyday in the 1950s when most of its squad was recruited from the Army Pay Corps that had its headquarters at Le Marchant Barracks.

Among the players who went on to illustrious professional careers were Roger Hunt, who played for Liverpool FC as well as being a member of the England World Cup squad of 1966, and Tony Edge, who played for Bristol Rovers.

It is hoped both men will be coming to the launch party at Devizes Sports Club on Sunday November 30.

Also invited is Ken Palmer, whose father was reputed to be the best all-round cricketer that Devizes ever saw. Both his sons did him credit by playing for their country and going on to become Test umpires.

Another local boy made good invited to the launch is Chris Sanegar, who enjoyed a successful career as a boxer before moving into fight promotion.

Representatives from all the local sports clubs have been invited but Mr Kibby says he still does not know how many to expect to the event.

He said: "It could be anywhere from 100 to 300. The trouble is that no-one replies to their invitations. They just turn up on the day.

"It will be the biggest collection of sports people under the same roof that there's ever been in the town.

"Many of them will not have seen each other for donkey's years so I expect there will be a lot of reminiscing."

The launch does not officially begin until 4pm on the day, but a rugby match between an over-35s XV and an under-25s side kicks off at 1pm.

All are welcome to watch.