WOULD-be soccer stars of the future mingled with stars of the present when Whalley Primary School pupils met Blackburn Rovers players.

Youngsters from the Church Lane school went along to Rovers' Brockhall training ground to see how the professionals warm-up and glean some handy hints.

The Whalley C of E Primary team ran away with the Ribble Valley Primary Schools League trophy. And the team secured the double when it won the Ribble Valley Large School Cup.

But in the kiddies' eyes Rovers are champions and headteacher Brian Beresford said his pupils had a wonderful afternoon.

"They came back absolutely glowing with lots of autographs," said Mr Beresford. "Some of them took books and others took footballs for the players to sign and they loved it."

Although a staunch Burnley supporter Mr Beresford put his bias aside when Simonstone-based Time Computers offered the children the chance to watch Rovers train.

The computer giant has struck a four-year deal with Rovers and to celebrate the firm is offering youngsters the chance to join Time Team 2000.

Over the next few weeks children will be encouraged to say why they should join the team with the chance of great prizes.

Time Team 2000 will be the first to officially wear the new Kappa Rovers home shirts when they are launched on July 26.

Entry to the competition is by e-mail at football@timecomputers.com

Picture: Rovers boss Graeme Souness (front) and Time Computers public relations manager Gearald MacGriogair show the new Rovers strip to Heather Donald (front) and fellow pupils of Whalley C of E Primary School