AS the rest of the nation prepared to settle back and enjoy Euro 2000, youngsters from the North-East decided they wanted a bit of the action themselves.

The Alan Shearers and David Beckhams of the future were taking part in an FA regional mini soccer festival at Middlesbrough's Saltersgill Playing Fields on Saturday. Youngsters from Northumberland, Durham and Yorkshire took part in the event alongside home grown talent from Teesside.

Squads of both boys and girls of all levels of skill and experience took part in the event, with under eights playing five-a-side games and nine and ten-year-olds playing seven-a-side games