A fund set up in memory of a victim of the US terrorist attacks has collected so much money it plans to become an official charity.

The Robert Eaton Memorial Fund (REMF) raised more than £24,000 following a football match between rival supporters, forcing organisers to seek charitable status.

Albion fan Robert, 37, was among the thousands lost beneath the rubble of the World Trade Centre in New York three months ago.

The tragedy prompted members of the Albion fans' web site North Stand Chat, where Robert was a regular contributor, to set up a fund in his memory.

The fund's first event took place last month when a team of Albion fans played against rival supporters from Crystal Palace at Southwick Football Club.

The morning before the match, fund organisers received a surprise phone call from the Charity Commission, which advised the REMF to seek legal advice.

Tony Kybett, REMF secretary, said: "They asked what we were doing with the funds as it was public money and said we might have broken the law. This was news to us and we decided to do something about it quickly."

The fund was offered free advice by a London firm of solicitors, which advised Mr Kybett and REMF chairman Gareth Glover to set up a limited company and apply for charitable status.

Mr Kybett said: "Some people didn't like the idea of the fund getting involved in lots of red tape but we felt we had no choice.

"Robert's parents, Doug and Laura, wanted us to follow the solicitors' advice and that's what we have done.

"We never thought it was going to get this big. It has progressed beyond our wildest dreams.

"The important thing is nobody is getting paid."

The fund expects to hear about its application to become a charity in the New Year.

Once this is done, the money will be transferred to New York, where Robert's wife Jacqui hopes to set up a football academy for underprivileged children.