A NINE-year-old boy whose twin brother died after an asthma attack was given a special treat when he met his football heroes.

Jake Maker travelled from his home in Countess Street, Accrington, to Blackburn Rovers' Brockhall training ground yesterday for a guided tour of the facilities and the chance to watch the team practising.

Curtis suffered an asthma attack after spending the day playing football with Jake last month.

Though paramedics managed to revive the youngster, he had suffered brain damage through lack of oxygen.

Both boys were Blackburn Rovers fans, and at his funeral a club scarf was draped over Curtis's coffin.

Yesterday's visit to Brockhall was arranged by club sponsors CIS who read about the tragedy in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Wearing his Blackburn tracksuit, Jake was accompanied by his dad Drew, mum Elaine Kelbie, uncle Michael Hunka , and friend Niall Gibson.

During the day Jake was shown around the boot room, had his photograph taken with the team, and got their autographs, though his favourite player Matt Jansen was not at the ground. He was also presented with tickets for Wednesday's match against Liverpool.

"Today means a lot. He was really excited on the way over," said his mum. "He wanted to get the new strip but none of the shops had it. But he's got the tracksuit."

The St Mary's RC Primary School pupil has coped well with his brother's death, his mum said, even joining a kick-boxing class.

Ken Beamish, commercial manager at the club, said: "Things like this show people we are not in an ivory tower, people can approach us."

Caroline Cooper, sponsorship assistant for CIS, said: "When we read Jake and Curtis' story we thought it would be a really nice treat for Jake to come down and meet some of his heroes and get tickets for a match."