A BLACKBURN newsagent found himself in the news when he was invited to the launch of Manchester United youth team manager's book "The View from the Dugout".

Solly Khonat, who has a shop in Johnston Street, met many of the stars of United and England at the launch of Eric Harrison's autobiography.

He was invited as representative of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, of which he is vice president of the North West region.

He said: "I met Beckham, Ferguson, Eric Harrison, the Nevilles, almost half the England team. The United stars who came up through the ranks, these are the kids Eric Harrison has brought through in the last few years." He said they had been "really down to earth". He also got to speak with Mark Hughes of Blackburn Rovers.

Solly said: "When I told him I was from Blackburn we talked for a while. He was confident Rovers will go up either by automatic promotion of through the play-offs."

Solly said: "I go to watch both teams on alternate weeks."

Solly added: "It was a great honour. Normally you just see players going past. It was really great."