WORLD CUP hero Jonny Wilkinson made a dream come true for a rugby-mad schoolboy -- by dropping him a line.

The sportsman who secured the Webb Ellis Trophy for England with an injury-time drop goal for a 20-17 victory over Australia is the hero of eight-year-old Leon Williams.

But he was amazed at the rugby superstar's response when grandma Barbara Walmsley wrote to him in Newcastle to ask if he would sign her grandson's rugby ball.

The rugby hero not only made the effort to send a personal, hand-written letter and a signed photograph but he also told Leon to send his rugby ball directly to him at the Newcastle Falcons ground to be signed.

Leon, who lives in Tintagel Close, Blackburn, with his mum, dad and younger brother, plays rugby for the under eights team at Blackburn Rugby Club and is coached by his father, Mike Williams, who plays for Blackburn's third team.

Mrs Walmsley, of Rothesay Road, Shadsworth, said: "He signed the photo 'To Leon, best of luck with the rugby mate, keep practising and enjoy it' which I thought was lovely of him. He also told me to send him the rugby ball and he would be more than happy to sign it for Leon. When England won the World Cup in November, Leon kept practising and showing me what Jonny Wilkinson did. So I thought there was nothing to lose if I wrote to Newcastle Falcons to see if he would sign a ball for him as a Christmas present.

"Unfortunately because he has been so busy he didn't get time to write back before Christmas so I was delighted when I received the letter. It is not typed and just signed at the bottom which you would expect if he was busy, it is actually written out.

"My first thought was just that Leon would be over the moon. I think his dad will be jealous too. Leon knew I had written to him but everyone laughed at me.

"But I'm glad I made the effort now because it paid off. I had faith. It shows Jonny cares and the fame hasn't gone to his head."