BUDDING Wayne Rooneys are preparing for their own World Cup in Swindon just a week before England kick off their campaign in South Africa.

Swindon Council is organising a World Cup-themed football festival to promote soccer in the community and provide a number of fun activities and tournaments for children in the town The event, which is being sponsored by McDonald’s restaurants, is aimed at boys and girls aged three and over, and will be an all-day event embracing the spirit of the World Cup.

The football festival is being held at Dorcan Recreation Complex, St Paul’s Drive, Covingham and, like the World Cup itself, will feature players from a whole host of different countries to reflect Swindon’s diverse communities.

It is open to children of all ages and features some veterans’ matches. The fun-packed day has been supported by a number of organisations in the town. A mini soccer festival is being sponsored by Bliss hair salon, while a girls’ under 10s five-a-side tournament will be sponsored by Trak Solutions.

And Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool is supporting a special exhibition match featuring Swindon Leopards and a Swindon Town select team.

A Cohesion Cup tournament has been organised made up of teams representing the diverse communities in Swindon and surrounding areas and top skills will be in evidence in the Street Soccer Challenge.

A football skills shelter, an inflatable pitch and a special skills area will also be available on the day along with karting, power kiting and a Futsal exhibition match.

The World Cup Football Festival takes place on Saturday, June 5 between 9am and 5pm.

For more information, contact Shane Hewlett on 07919 112982.