CHILDREN from all over the country, including 30 Argus competition-winners, attended a Bobby Charlton Soccer School and attempted to beat the skills record of David Beckham.

The schools have run for nearly 30 years, and it was an 11-year-old Beckham who scored a massive 1,100 points for his control, shooting, dribbling and passing.

Yesterday, at Hartridge High School in Newport, 120 young hopefuls were joined by Premiership football club coaches and put through their paces for a day.

Alice Johnson, from Cwmbran, plays in the centre-forward position for Hollybush Primary School, and was hoping to improve her skills to make her more like favourite player Thierry Henry.

The ten-year-old Arsenal fan said: "I'm quite fast, like him. We played in a tournament the other day and we did quite well."

Jack Buckley, an eight-year-old Liverpool fan from Bettws, also hopes to emulate his hero - Steven Gerrard.

The young midfielder, who plays for Albion Rovers, Malpas Road, said: "I came here last year and I came back because I liked it. You learn lots of new skills which makes you a better player."

Simon Jennings, manager of the Bobby Charlton Soccer School and academy coach at Bolton Wanderers, said: "We coach them on speed, agility and various skills such as free kicks and passing.

"The children get to use the same equipment that Premiership players use in training, which is a terrific insight behind the scenes at a proper club.

"The winner of today's skills competition will meet other finalists from around the world at a grand final in November."

Thirty children who entered a competition in the Argus also took part.