FOOTBALL-mad Callum Dent will be in seventh heaven tonight when he makes his international "debut" at Elland Road.

The 12-year-old from Selby was chosen to be one of the England mascots for the game against Italy in front of millions of TV viewers and more than 30,000 fans at the Leeds United ground.

Callum's name was pulled out of the hat ahead of 1,000 other hopefuls after he entered a national newspaper competition. He was asked to name England's sponsor and came up with the correct answer, Nationwide.

And in a million-to-one chance, he will be joined in the mascots' ranks by his cousin, Lloyd Taylor, nine, from Scarborough, who also came up with the correct answer.

Both youngsters will be wearing the new England reversible red and blue strip as they walk out with their heroes.

It will be extra special for Barlby High School pupil Callum as he is a keen supporter of Leeds United and it will be the first time he has walked on the hallowed Elland Road turf.

Callum, who plays for local team Barlby Raiders, said: "I can't wait and my cousin being a mascot as well is unbelievable."

His mother, Caroline, of Ings Close, Barlby, said her son was "over the moon" and so was his welder dad, Kevin, who also had a ticket.

She said: "We're all stunned. Both Callum and Lloyd will also be given a new England strip as a memento of what will be a really special night for all the family."

Updated: 09:36 Wednesday, March 27, 2002