THE FA Cup is heading to the region.

The famous trophy is coming to the North-East as part of The FA Cup Trophy Tour which is taking place across the country ahead of the first four rounds of the 2012/13 season.

The tour, which will arrive in Middlesbrough prior to the fourth round, offers youngsters chance to win the opportunity to have a sleepover with the iconic cup.

Children who turn out to get a glimpse of the cup will be chosen at random to take the trophy home with them for a night.

Middlesbrough will host League Two side Aldershot Town at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, January 26.

The cup will arrive in town ahead of the game on Friday, January 18 and will be on display in the town centre – near House of Fraser – from 10am to 6pm on Friday, from 10am to 7pm on Saturday and 11am to 6pm on Sunday.

Rob Nichols, editor of Boro fanzine Fly Me To The Moon, said: “I hope that in The FA Cup coming to Middlesbrough, some of its magic will rub off on us and take us all the way to Wembley.

“When I was a kid The FA Cup stood out as being a really exciting showpiece. I’m sure this Trophy Tour will ignite the imagination of the next generation.”