Prince shows off football skills

Prince William had a kickabout with pupils in the training session

Prince William has been showing off his football skills in a kickabout with schoolchildren in Lancashire.

He visited St Aidan's Church of England Primary School, Blackburn, to take part in the Football Association's (FA) Skills Programme.

William, who became president of the FA two years ago, watched 50 pupils aged five to 11 in training sessions.

His football skills were rated as "all right" by children he practised alongside.

Skills coaching

One of the children, Nathan, 11, said: "Not everyone gets to have a kickabout with him. It's a lifetime opportunity, it's not every day someone gets to meet a prince."

Hayley Probert, 11, said: "It was really exciting to meet the future King. He started talking to me about football and what teams we support. He supports Aston Villa."

St Aidan's is involved in the FA Tesco Skills Programme, which aims to give one million children in England top-quality skills coaching by 2010.

The FA Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking, accompanied William on the visit.

He also met with FA coaches delivering warm-up sessions and games in the school playground.