LUDLOW schoolboy footballer Joshua Hughes had a great day when he showed off his soccer skills at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Joshua had won a place at the grand final of this year's Manchester United Soccer School with 62 other players of the future, including one girl. At stake was the first prize of a visit to Juventus in Turin but that proved to be beyond Joshua's grasp.

"He did very well to get to the final in the first place," said his stepfather Charles Pitt. "7,600 started off and Josh was in the last 63. They were shown all over the ground and each one had their picture taken with the League Trophy."

Unfortunately they did not see their heroes as the Reds were losing 1-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

United's summer schools programme is open to both boys and girls. Its version for 2004 has been produced with the help of the first team squad. It breaks down techniques and skills into easy-to-follow steps. Ludlow School is one of the first stops on next year's nationwide circuit and a visit is scheduled for April 3 and 4.

Although Josh, who goes to Ludlow School, was 12 in October he still plays in right midfield for Woofferton Under-12s. He has another chance to add to his soccer credentials on Sunday when his team plays Leominster Minors in the quarter finals of South Shropshire Under-12s League Cup. The venue has yet to be fixed but it will either be at Woofferton or nearby at Orleton.