Magic moments that made us all smile in 2002...

And as well as his exploits in the Far East, Beckham provided another 'smile moment' closer to home when he and little Kirsty Howard, six, presented the Commonwealth baton to the Queen at the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in July.

But what made you smile in 2002? We hit the streets to find out.

BLACKBURN Rovers' Worthington Cup victory was clearly a golden moment for some local soccer fans.

But Barbara Jones, of Sutton Street, Feniscowles, went along with the majority in singling out Beckham's goal.

"I watched it at home with my family and we all jumped up off the settee when it went in," said Barbara. "We were all grinning from ear to ear."

Former Afghan soldier Enayat Akbari, 28, of Linden Avenue, Blackburn, was driven out of his homeland by the Taliban and his golden moment came in January when he was granted asylum.

"I am very happy here and getting residency got the year off to a great start," he said.

John Kenyon, 37, of Lime Street, Great Harwood, thought Rovers' Worthington Cup victory in Cardiff was the highlight of his year.

"It was great for the town and everyone was smiling for a long time after," said John. "The feelgood factor lasted for weeks and there was a real buzz about the place."

Barbara Rimmer, 59, of Windsor Road, Knuzden, recalled smiling all the way to the travel agents when she went to book a fantastic Caribbean cruise to mark her 40th wedding anniversary next year.

But she was also smiling after winning two cuddly toys in a Christmas draw.

"I gave them to my grandchildren and the looks on their faces made me smile with joy," said Barbara.

The birth of her first child in September brought smiles of joy and relief for Karen Knott, 27, of Millbrook Street, Lower Darwen.

"Keaton was two weeks late so as well as being overjoyed to be holding him for the first time I was also relieved that the pregnancy was over," said Karen who also became an aunty and a godmother for the first time following the birth of her sister's baby earlier in the year.

Dave Grogan, 59, of Stopes Brow, Blackburn, says his memory of victory in Cardiff will live with him for ever.

"We stayed with my daughter in Bristol before going to the game and it was an absolutely brilliant weekend," said Dave, who recently celebrated another special occasion, the birth of a grandchild."

Nicola Alty, 20, of Burnley, said: "I am an Everton supporter so the signing of Wayne Rooney was a highlight as was David Moyes coming to us."

Andrew Harker, 18, of Varley Street, Colne, said: "I love dance music. The thing that has made me smile is the new clubs that have been opening in Burnley during the year. I love hardcore music, that's the thing that makes me smile the most.

Michelle Brown, 30, owner of Oliver Twist Sandwich Bar, Burnley, said: "It has got to be taking over the shop. It has been a great year and seeing my son Caleb on his second Birthday was also very special."

Lucy Yates, 18, of Lyndale Road, Hapton, said: "I went to Creamfields in Liverpool and that was fantastic. It was one of the best things I have ever done. It was just brilliant."

2002: Top 10 'smile moments'

1Beckham's penalty

2Revelation ofJohn Major and Edwina Currie's affair

3Rocker Ozzy Osbourne performing for the Queen at Buckingham Palace

4Becks and Kirsty Howard presenting Commonwealth baton to the Queen

5Eriksson and Ulrika's affair

6Scottish curlers winning gold at Winter Olympics

7Jade bearing all on Big Brother 3

8Senegal beating France in the World Cup

9Tony Blackburn's return to glory by winning I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here

10The Queen having her photo taken by a tourist in Canada

ASYLUM: Enayat Akbari

SHOP: Michelle Brown

CARDIFF: Dave Grogan

MUSIC: Andrew Harker

CRUISE: Barbara Rimmer

NIGHT OUT: Lucy Yates

PENALTY: Barbara Jones

NEW LIFE: Karen Knott and three-month-old Keaton