Firms asked to help get Caley Jags fans to cup final

Inverness Caledonian Thistle beat Celtic to reach the Scottish Cup Final

Businesses in Inverness have been asked to help fund children's and families' trip to Hampden to support Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

ICTFC face Falkirk in the club's first ever Scottish Cup Final on 30 May.

Caley Thistle players have pledged a total of £2,000 from the bonus they received for beating Celtic in the semi-final to help their supporters.

Highland councillors have also approved an £8,000 grant from the Inverness Common Good Fund.

Councillors have now asked local businesses to make contributions.

Jimmy Gray, an Inverness councillor, said: "The aim is to enable children and families to have the best opportunity of attending the cup final and support the club.

"Reaching the final puts Inverness and the Highlands firmly on the map for high profile sporting events and will help us promote our beautiful region to the world."

He added: "We agree that local businesses have a huge role to play in this and we hope that they will follow the example of the players and the common good fund and pledge their support."

Councillor and Inverness city leader Ian Brown said the football club had "come of age" by reaching the final.

He added: "This highlights just how far the club has come since joining the Scottish League set-up in 1994.

"We are all very proud of their success and it would be great if local businesses get on board."