BURY midfielder Waleed Handon, (pictued), has been given a surprise call up to join England's Euro 2000 soccer squad.

The Woodbank FC player is now the envy of his friends and family after being named to lead out his Three Lions heroes , including Manchester United's David Beckham, when they face their old enemies, the Germans, on Saturday (June 17).

The eight-year-old is one of just 15 youngsters from around the country who earned the right to escort the home players on to the pitch in a competition run by Coca Cola. The game, and Waleed's involvement, will be watched by millions of viewers around the world.

However, his dream ticket to Amsterdam was surrounded more with good fortune and a friend's dislike for the national sport.

Waleed's mum Jillian, who has flown out with her son to Holland for a four day thrill of a lifetime, said: "It is all down to my best friend Lynne Marland. She took part in the competition but has twin daughters. Neither of them like football so she donated the tickets to Waleed.

"My other two teenage sons, Sharief and Ashraf, and my daughter Yasmin are very envious of their little brother who is an avid football fan."

A pupil at Old Hall County Primary School in Brandlesholme, Bury, Waleed is over the moon at his "in-direct" success in the free prize draw.

"I cannot wait. It will be brilliant to lead out England," said Waleed, of Springside Cottages, Bury. "I love football and I was going to watch all the games on television anyway. It will be even better to watch England against Germany live."