RACIAL harmony was the winner as 250 schoolchildren competed in a unique football tournament of mixed Asian and white teams.

The 11 and 12 year old pupils played for their secondary schools at Blackburn Rovers' Brockhall training ground on Saturday.

The idea was to make children from different backgrounds work together and help to eradicate any developing prejudices.

Earlier, the pupils learned England manager Sven Goran Eriksson had sent them a good luck message from the team's training base in Korea.

It said: "Best wishes to everyone in Blackburn for Saturday from the squad in South Korea. Have a great day!"

The seven-a-side teams from 16 schools across Blackburn with Darwen, the Ribble Valley and Hyndburn, competed in Champions League-style competition with a league followed by a knockout phase.

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn, won the boys' trophy after beating another Blackbvurn school St. Wilfrid's in the final. St. Christopher's High School, Accrington, took the girls' prize after overcoming Blackburn's St. Bedes.

Chief Superintendent John Thompson and Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati who plays Sunita Parekh, presented trophies and medals.

PS Paul Goodall said: "It has been a really good day. The kids have got on really well together and the competition has been really good spirited."

The Blackburn Harmony Soccer Tournament was organised by Lancashire Constabulary's eastern division, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Lancashire County Council. Gas company Transco sponsored the event.