A LEADING pub company today vowed to back an appeal created to help those embroiled in drugs and prostitution.

A LEADING pub company today vowed to back an appeal created to help those embroiled in drugs and prostitution.

Punch Taverns has agreed to stage five events in five of its pubs during May and June to support The Evening Star's Somebody's Daughter memorial fund which was launched after the deaths of five sex workers last December.

On May 5, The Earl Kitchener in Hadleigh Road is holding a night of music courtesy of Rod Stewart tribute act Hot Rod.

There will also be an auction for a pair of VIP tickets to Manchester United's final game of the season at Old Trafford against West Ham United.

On May 15, The Bell in Kesgrave is holding a charity night featuring a quiz and food.

On May 28, The Three Jolly Sailors in Handford Road is donating all of the proceeds of its annual charity day to the appeal.

The Grinning Rat in St Helen's Street is holding an all day fundraiser on June 8, and The Milestone in Woodbridge Road is staging a night of games on June 12.

The Somebody's Daughter fund, a registered charity, was launched in conjunction with Ipswich Borough Council in the wake of the killings of Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Annette Nicholls and Paula Clennell.

All had worked in the sex trade and all had drug habits.

The appeal's ultimate goal is to raise enough money to open a refuge where drug addicts and sex workers can seek support and guidance.

Donations to the memorial fund can be made online at www.eveningstar.co.uk, in person at Ipswich Borough Council's customer service centre in the Town Hall, by calling 01473 433777, or by sending a cheque, made payable to Somebody's Daughter Memorial Fund, to PO Box 772, Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2DE.