THE father of an England football hero was involved in an entirely different kind of match when he came to Rossendale.

As England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard junior gears up for this summer's Euro 2004 football championships, his father, Frank senior, visited East Lancashire to see his sister marry a Rossendale man.

Frank Lampard senior, who played at West Ham for most of his career and was himself capped by England twice, made it to Bacup to see his sister Gwen wed her internet sweetheart, Paul Lamb.

Paul, 29, the son of Stacksteads ward councillor, Christine Lamb, met Gwen two years ago after starting a love affair over the web.

His family say he had no idea about her family background until the relationship blossomed.

Now Paul, who was born and brought up in Bacup, has become part of the football dynasty -- although his family say his feet are still firmly on the ground.

His mum, Christine, 57, who is married to Brian, also 57, said: "We didn't even know who Gwen was related to until recently.

"We don't look at it like that and neither does Paul, Gwen's just a lovely person who Paul fell in love with but it's really nice that Frank made it to the wedding.

"Frank junior was supposed to be coming but because of other commitments he couldn't make it.

"It was a wonderful day."

The wedding reception was held at Bacup Borough Football Club on Saturday after an evening church ceremony at the town's Central Methodist Church.

Debra O'Connor, secretary of Bacup Borough, said Frank Senuior took particular interest in the Challenge Cup, won by Bacup earlier this month: "It's amazing to have had somebody of that stature at the club. He was a really nice man and had plenty to say about the cup. He was impressed with it and with the footballing pictures on the wall at the club, although he said his interest wasn't in football anymore - he said he was concentrating on property."

The couple are on their honeymoon in Blackpool and will live in Bacup.