IT WAS the thrill of a lifetime for little Lewis Garratty when he walked on to the Wembley pitch with the England team after being chosen as a mascot.
When he took the trip to the famous ground for the friendly between England and Switz-erland last Wednesday, Lewis ended up standing just yards away from his footballing hero, Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerr-ard.
Lewis, nine, of Grizedale Close, Clayton-le-Moors, is a keen Blackburn Rovers supporter and his other favourite player is David Bentley, who was making his first start for his country.
Lewis’s dream came true when his dad Peter, a British Gas electrician who is a member of the England fan club, entered his son in a mascot competition.
He said: "I felt really excited going on the pitch in front of all those people.
"At first, we had to go to a room where we got changed and practised what we would do when we went on the pitch and I ended up going into the tunnel with Rio Ferdinand."
Little Lewis then ran out onto the pitch for the start of the big match, which was the first game for new England manager Fabio Capello.
He added: "I could see Steven Gerrard and Fabio Capello from where I was, which also made me excited.
"We all sang the National Anthem. I’m really glad I have done it."
Lewis, who had been to Wembley twice before, was allowed to keep his strip as a memento of his special day.
