ONE of the world's most famous footballing trophies was paraded around three North-East schools yesterday, as part of a whistle-stop tour.

The nation's most talented footballers have shed blood and tears in their efforts to lift the FA Cup - but pupils at The Hermitage School, Chester-le-Street, were yesterday given the opportunity to be photographed holding the trophy.

It was brought to the region as part of a tour of the country organised by FA cup sponsor Nationwide Building Society, following a competition to find the nation's most deserving fans.

First it arrived at the English Martyrs RC School, in Red House, Sunderland, after parent Steve Foster entered the competition under his wife Karen's name, because he believed she brought him luck.

It was also taken to St David's School, Middlesbrough, after Middlesbrough fan Ged Close, 12, was picked as a winner in the contest.

Previous to that it had spent about an hour at The Hermitage School.

Business manager Steve Barnes said: "We were mainly picked because we had our sports facilities burnt down a year gone November and the head thought it would lift morale of the pupils and staff."

Pupils paid £1 towards Red Nose Day to have their photograph taken with the trophy.

The school also had a visit from former Sunderland football star Bobby Kerr, the last North-East captain to lift the FA Cup, in 1973.