A BLACKBURN schoolboy has taken the first step towards his dream of becoming a Premiership star by lining up for a TV show featuring the UK's most talented young footballers.

The star in question is nine-year-old Luis Stevenson who used his trusted left foot to beat off hundreds of other hopefuls to make it through to win one of only 22 places on Five's MATCH Academy.

The programme spotlights young soccer stars hoping to step into the shoes of David Beckham and co and be stars of the future.

After undergoing a week of intensive training, two teams of 11 will battle it out in front of the cameras and watching soccer scouts.

Blackburn Rovers-mad Luis, of Torridon Close, Cherry Tree, made it on to the show after coming through a regional heat in Manchester when the scores of participants aged eight to 12 were tested on a host of skills ranging from their passing prowess to their shooting accuracy.

Luis's life at the academy based at Butlins, Skegness will be featured on forthcoming programmes broadcast on Five. It will chart Luis and the 21 other lucky young talents fine-tuning their football skills.

And the series will culminate with how Luis and his team-mates, coached by ex-Aston Villa boss John Gregory, fared against a team managed by Portsmouth boss, Harry Redknapp.

And proud mum, Lesley, 37, said her son, who prefers playing at left wing, hoped his brush with fame was the start of things to come.

"He's only nine, eight at the time of the show. But yes he would love to play in the Premiership. We are really proud of him but his attitude is that it doesn't matter if he wins or loses he just loves playing football. It was great for him to meet all the coaches and we are all very proud of him."

The triumphant regional heat involving Luis, a pupil at St Francis' CE Primary School, Blackburn, will be shown on Five at 11am on June 4.

And his family will definitely tuning in. "We will all be watching, including our two-year-old daughter Leigha who herself has already started playing football. She kicks the ball on the sidelines whenever we watch Luis play! All his school friends and family have been informed and we will be taping it. "