Queen meets football ace on tour

Foreign Secretary David Miliband (right) joined in with Hakan Sukur

The Queen has met Turkish football legend Hakan Sukur at the end of her four-day state visit to Turkey.

The former Blackburn Rovers striker took a training session for local children at the official residence of the British ambassador to Turkey.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh watched as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan kicked a ball.

Sukur, 36, is Turkey's all-time leading goalscorer with 51 goals in 111 international appearances.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who is in Turkey for the final two days of the royal tour, joined in the kick-about.

The children have been playing in the Sokak Ligi - Street League - which aims to use sport to raise their self esteem.

It's a very good thing for these children to follow the UK's top league because it's a very good league Hakan Sukur

They had a game between "Galatasaray" and "Arsenal" - reflecting the Turkish club's Uefa Cup final victory over the Premier League side in 2000.

Sukur has just finished the football season with Galatasaray, and has previously played for Italian giants Inter Milan.

He said: "Using football to help children is a fantastic idea. It's possible to keep them away from bad habits because their free time is involved with football.

"And it's a very good thing for these children to follow the UK's top league because it's a very good league and it will encourage their football skills."

Later, the Queen was welcomed to ambassador Nick Baird's home by Cpl Peter MacGregor, from the Royal Regiment of Scotland, The Highlanders, who played the bagpipes.

Dance display

The royal couple also met gold honour recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.

Prince Philip spoke to student Seren Yucel, 20, who said afterwards: "I began working for my gold award after my teacher mentioned the scheme.

"For one of my tasks I set myself the job of befriending someone I knew who was an alcoholic.

"She would never leave home, all she would do was drink but I took her out to the cinema or long walks.

"Before doing the award I would have ignored someone if they were an alcoholic but now I have a much greater understanding of the illness."

The Queen and Prince Philip watched a dance display by girls from the British Embassy School before leaving to fly home.