The Hatters can confirm that today's scheduled South West Challenge Cup final will go ahead at Bideford at 6pm.

Mick Harford's men were due to face Grimsby Town in the final of the competition but it is with regret to report that the Blundell Park outfit have withdrawn from the tournament.

It means the Town now face Belgian side Royal Racing Montegnée at the Sports Ground.

The Mariners' requested that the match was brought forward to 3pm as the club already organised a pre-season friendly scheduled on Monday versus Scunthorpe United

Grimsby have also cited an issue of safety, however, there was no justification, evidence or intelligence from tournament organisers or police that any risk to safety was evident and therefore that a change in kick-off time would in fact created a negative impact on both clubs' supporters ant the tournament.

The Hatters directors, manager and coaching staff were together when they received the request from Grimsby and made a united decision not to let down the club's supporters and to keep the final at 6pm kick-off

Hatters' Managing Director Gary Sweet said: "We're very disappointed that we are unable to play the team who progressed to the final on merit and we believe this compromises the integrity of the otherwise excellent competition.

"We saw no reason as to why we should change the kick-off time as all clubs knew from the outset what time the final was planned to kick-off and we did not want our supporters to turn up at Bideford at six o'clock only to find out the game had finished.

"Given the short notice by Grimsby, we would have faced an impossible task to inform our supporters here in Devon that the kick-off time had been altered.

"However, we will be there at six and look forward to an exciting game against strong opposition."

The Hatters would also like to go on record to thank all the support the club has received here in Devon from Luton fans, local supporters and the tournament organisers

The organisers of the tournament have also made a statement on their website at www.southwestchallengecup.co.uk.