VILLAGERS were last night celebrating confirmation that the England football squad is on the way.

The picturesque village of Hurworth, just outside Darlington, has become "the second home" of international football stars since Middlesbrough FC built its training base at Rockcliffe Park.

Last night, it was confirmed that more football fame is in store when Sven-Goran Erikkson brings his players to the village to prepare for the European qualifying match against Slovakia at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium on June 11.

The squad will be staying at Redworth Hall Hotel, near Shildon, from Saturday, June 7 until Tuesday, June 10, andtrain at Hurworth at 4pm on June 7, 10.30am on June 8 and 10.30am on June 9.

The chairman-elect of Hurworth Parish Council, Alan Gibson, said last night: "This is very exciting news for the village. Hurworth is a wonderful place and the England players are coming to an idyllic setting."

Ian Black, chairman of governors at Hurworth Primary School, said: "It will be something the children of the village will remember forever - the day Michael Owen and co came to Hurworth."

Tickets for the match are available to England supporters only on 0870 9020005 or on www.ticketmaster.co.uk, from 10am on Thursday.