THE man who gave new American president George W Bush his mysterious middle name was a student at Stonyhurst College in the Ribble Valley.

The 43rd president's great grandfather George Walker was a pupil at the college from 1892-94 and his surname is now used by Bush junior to distinguish himself from his father.

The college is now hoping the family connection could prompt a transatlantic trip for Mr Bush.

The college's director of admissions, Peter Anwyl, said: "We have invited his father a few times and he has said he would love to come, though he hasn't made it so far, so I'm sure we will give the new president a ring at some point to ask him across."

Bush's ancestor became a great fan of golf during his days at Stonyhurst, a sport he played on the college course. He eventually founded the famous Walker Cup competition which takes place every year between amateur players from the USA and Great Britain.

The college's link with the famous competition was acknowledged at the recent prize-giving ceremony held in Scotland at the end of the contest.

Former American president and father of the new resident of the White House, George Bush senior, is a Life President of the Stonyhurst Park Golf Club, based on the college course. He also has a copy of the college history, written by former teacher Tom Muir in 1993, on the shelves of his Presidential Library in Texas.

Other famous people with Stonyhurst connections include England rugby union players Iain Balshaw and Keiron Bracken, former deputy director of the CIA, General Vernon Walters and John Carroll, the founder of Georgetown University where Bill Clinton was a student. Sir Author Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, was also a pupil.

The college maintains strong links with the USA and currently has four full-time students from the states.