A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD has been kicking the football round on-screen with England players as part of a supermarket's World Cup campaign.

Joseph Jones, of Bishop Auckland, is starring in a series of discount chain Lidl's national television and social media adverts alongside professionals Raheem Sterling and Gary Cahill.

The football enthusiast was selected to feature in the promotional ads as one of the so-called Lidl England Team - a group of about 30 youngsters aged between six and 12.

Wayne Jones, Joseph's father, said: "It's massive for Bishop Auckland to think this little lad has gone on to do something for the World Cup.

"Football is his life, he eats and breathes it, and they (the team at Lidl) must have liked him."

A dedicated Newcastle United FC supporter, Joseph plays for Bishop Auckland St Mary's Juniors, Crook Panthers and Middlesbrough FC development squad.

In November, football coaching programme FA Lidl Skills contacted his hometown club offering parents the chance to put forward their children as advert candidates.

Mr Jones responded and was offered an audition in December, but due to work commitments was unable to make it and instead was given the opportunity to make a video of his eldest son showing off his abilities.

The team at Lidl saw the piece and snapped up the Copeland Road Primary School pupil out of tens of thousands.

In late January, Joseph and his dad travelled down to London where they were whisked off to Fulham FC Training Ground.

Out walked Manchester City midfielder Raheem Sterling, fully clad in his England kit, ready for filming a television advert with the squad's mini equivalent.

The budding TV performers were treated to another surprise as England and Chelsea captain Gary Cahill appeared for the afternoon session in front of the camera.

Mr Jones said: "They were outstanding with the kids and Joseph was blown away. As a proud father I was more proud about the way that Joseph worked with these two players.

"Joseph was playing with Raheem Sterling and kicked the ball through his legs as I was watching."

Three weeks later the youngster was called up again by the global store to take part in a series of promotional videos which sees the Lidl England Team recreate moments to be captured during the competition - including including getting off the team bus, singing the national anthem on the pitch and scoring goals.

At St George's Park, the FA's Staffordshire base, Joseph and his teammates were each greeted in the changing rooms by an England strip hanging in their own, named booth.

Joseph and his father missed Mr Jones's uncle Stephen Jackson's funeral in order to make the second filming in March.

"Stephen was so proud of everything Joseph was going to achieve," he said. "We could not allow Joseph to miss this opportunity.

"We paid tribute to him and this has been in memory of Stephen."

The adverts are due to go live and be aired during the run up to to the World Cup, which kicks off next month.