YOUNGSTERS met their heroes and had a chance to try their own footballing skills at an open day at Ewood Park.

Blackburn Rovers stars went through a training session in front of hundreds of children and their parents before signing autographs for fans yesterday.

Brothers 11-year-old Ben and eight-year-old Sam Wright, from Wiswell, were thrilled to meet their favourite player Matt Jansen.

But Ben said his favourite part of the day was playing on the free kick machine, where inflatable footballers standing in front of the net were sent spinning by off-target balls.

Matt Jansen also got cheers from Lianne Kenyon, 14, of Padiham, who trains with Blackburn Rovers Ladies and is hoping to get a season ticket to watch Rovers next season.

She said: "I hope I'm going to be able to play for Blackburn Rovers Ladies when I'm 15." Ten-year-old Becky Clemson, of Longridge, plays centre defence for Blackburn Rovers Ladies Under 12s team and said she preferred Damien Duff to Matt Jansen.

She got several players' autographs but most enjoyed having a go on the speed test machine, which measures how hard you kick the ball.

She said: "It was the best part of the day because I beat some of the lads."

Robert Donald, seven, from Whalley, also loved the speed and accuracy test machine.

He said: "My favourite player is John Filan because he's a goalkeeper and sometimes I'm a goalkeeper when I play."

Adam Stamworth, ten, from Wiswell, plays for Whalley Arrows and said his favourite player was Damien Duff, because he wears a number 12 shirt -- just like Adam.

Twelve-year-old Emma Highton is pictured getting Damien Duff's autograph.