PAUL Weller is celebrating being awarded a testimonial following 12 years sterling service with Burnley.

The popular midfielder has been given the green light to start a year of events, culminating in a special game to commemorate a decade spent as a professional with his only ever league club.

Weller, who first joined Burnley as an apprentice in 1991, must now decide who he would like as opposition for his testimonial, which ironically would be the first at Turf Moor since former physio Jimmy Holland was honoured that same year.

Weller, 28, beamed: "It's a fantastic gesture by Burnley to be awarded a testimonial and I'm absolutely over the moon about it.

"The gaffer has spoken to the chairman and told me to just get on with organising everything. He is fully committed, so it's all go and I have to get the Sportsmans Dinners and everything else up and running to pay for the big day itself.

"I have people within the club who will help me and there are loads of ideas and it's just a case of getting the ball rolling and then working out exactly who I want to play in the match.

"The gaffer has left it with me to name the day, so I need to have a good think about it over the next few months."

Given the tight-knit nature of the Football League schedule, any game is likely to take place either at the end of the current season, or as a curtain raiser for the next campaign.

No opposition has yet been decided upon, but one early suggestions is for the current squad to face a team of former Burnley stars, possibly including the likes of

Steve Davis, Andy Payton and David Eyres.

Brighton-born Weller, who made his full, first team debut in 1995 and has since completed more than 250 appearances for the Clarets, added: "It's been a long time, but I still really enjoy this place and the club.

"I've been here for 12 years now, there's never been a dull moment and we've had some real characters at the club, including Ian Wright and Paul Gascoigne.

"It's been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for me personally because I've had the lows of serious injury and relegation and the highs or making a full recovery and several promotions.

"I'm settled here now and I love the area, I've got a nice house and I would never move back home, not even when I've stopped playing."

Turf Moor hosts a special evening tonight at the launch of the 'Orient Video. Fans are free to join Burnley stars past and present at the launch, which takes place in the James Hargreaves Stand from 7pm.