A TOWN team formed to help raise the profile of school football is now just a handful of games away from playing at the new Wembley Stadium.

The Blackburn Primary Schools football team was resurrected after an eight-year absence and were promptly crowned Lancashire champions in their first ever tournament.

Now the team of 10 and 11-year-olds will represent the county at the Northern finals at Sunderland's Stadium of Light in March - with the winners travelling to the home of England for the national championships later in the year.

The team was formed by a group of teachers following Blackburn and Darwen's Schools Sports Partnership winning a coveted national award for providing sport across the borough.

"We won this top award for the sport we provide so it seemed a shame that we didn't have a primary schools football team," said Gary Lloyd a teacher at St Luke and St Phillips.

Gary was joined by Kelvin Wilkins from Feniscowles and Intack teacher Craig Taylor who set about recruiting players - but they had now idea it would make such an immediate impact.

"The initial interest was fantastic," said Gary a former town team player. "I played for the team when I was a youngster so I know exactly what it means to represent the town. Thankfully, a lot of the parents knew just how important it was as well so they have supported us from the start."

All of the primary schools in Blackburn were invited to send their four best players which was eventually reduced to a squad of 24 players.

Blackburn narrowly lost 3-2 to Skelmesdale in an 11-a-side cup match before taking part and winning the Lancashire Schools seven-a-side Championships at St Bedes - beating Fylde on penalties in the final.

The team has been backed by Blackburn Rovers who have provided a kit and training equipment and Blackburn with Darwen Council who allow them to train free of charge at Audley School of Sport and Art.

"When we started we had no idea we were be so successful so soon," added Gary. "The aim was just to get the team up and running again after such a long absence. The lads have trained really hard and winning the Lancashire finals was a fantastic achievement.

"Now we are really looking forward to playing at the Stadium of Light but the lads are really excited because they knew they could even play at the new Wembley."

The team prepare for the Lancashire 11-a-side League with a friendly against Wigan on Saturday before playing Darwen schools at St Bedes on Saturday, January 19.