Dozens of football-mad youngsters got closer to their goal of sporting stardom with a special tour of Bristol's Ashton Gate stadium.

They were part of this year's Junior Academy, a coaching scheme run by Bristol City in conjunction with the Bristol Post and our sister paper the Western Daily Press.

Over the coming few months, the youngsters will enjoy weekly training sessions from Bristol City coaches, and if they impress them enough, might even get signed up for the club's academy.

On the tour around Ashton Gate last night, the seven, eight and nine-year-olds met first-team players Scott Murray and Cole Skuse.

Academy head of education and welfare, Pete Coleman, said: "The evening was really brilliant.

"It was a fantastic turnout, great atmosphere and the kids were thrilled to meet Scott Murray and Cole Skuse who spent a lot of time with them. It really was probably as good as we have had."

This will be the third year that Bristol City FC will provide youngsters with some free, top-class coaching.

A lucky group of 150 boys and girls aged seven to nine will get a taste of life in the footballing fast lane by training with professional coaches at the Bristol City Academy at Abbots Leigh.

Bristol City's Academy has nurtured many young footballers, such as Leroy Lita and Liam Rosenior, who have gone on to play at Premiership and international level.