A youth football team realised their dreams as they played on the pitch which their heroes graced.

Players for Lyme Regis Football Club's under 11s side participated in a national 5-a-side under 12's football tournament, which was organised by Rotary.

The tournament took place at St George's Park, the home of the FA national football centre in Burton upon Trent, where the England men and women's teams train before their big matches.

The team was chosen by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, who provided the team with a generous grant towards expenses and a new strip for the tournament.

The Lyme Regis squad of 10 players, which included the only three girls in the competition, show determination, team work and passion for the sport.

They also received compliments from opposing managers and parents for their enthusiasm, which did not wane over all the ten games played, and for excellent performances which included a hat trick, fantastic tackles and runs, and some wonderful saves from the goalkeeper.

The competition was played under five-a-side rules, with only five players able to be fielded by a team at any one time, and substitutions allowed during the game.

Coach of the under 12s side, Martyn Wright, said: "The players bonded as a team, learned together how to cope with being flung into such a big competition and with opponents most of whom were older and bigger than themselves, and came out of it thrilled to bits at having taken part.

"They play on the David Beckham pitch, they did their best and their enthusiasm was infectious. "They learned what effort can achieve and that has given each and every one of them confidence.

"Players, parents and Football Club officials are grateful to the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis for arranging our entry into this competition, for the new strip and for very generous assistance."