YOUNGSTERS from across the south west were given the chance to emulate their footballing heroes as they took part in a World Cup six-a-side tournament at the County Ground.

With the days ticking down until kick-off in South Africa, starlets of the future represented each one of the 32 teams over two days of action.

Town striker Billy Paynter turned up on Saturday to show his support as the under sevens contested well-fought matches, before the under eights did the same on Sunday.

While plenty of Wiltshire teams took part, sides from the surrounding counties also competed at the North Wilts Youth League-organised event.

Each player wore a football shirt with the badge of their country on it, and at the end of each day everyone received a medal.

Due to the ages of those participating, the tournament was non-competitive, but for each group of four, the watching referees awarded a trophy to the most sporting team.

The weekend kicked off with a showpiece beginning, as North Wilts Youth League secretary Margaret Rivers explained.

“We had a big opening ceremony with majorettes and Rockin’ Robin and the kids loved that,” she said.

“They marched around the stands holding the flag of their representative country.

“They came out from two ends of the stands and went round one half of the pitch before meeting on the halfway line, and we had the World Cup music as well.”

Rivers added that she felt the two days of football at a sun-drenched County Ground had been a rip-roaring success.

“It was a fantastic weekend and we were spoilt with the weather,” she said.

“The kids had a great time and we can’t thank Swindon Town enough.”

The club had postponed ripping up their pitch so the tournament could go ahead.