JUNIOR football team Knaresborough Celtic took the strain to reach their goal of raising £45,000 for somewhere to play.

And as they approached the halfway line for funds the high-flying kids were given a challenge - pull an RAF Linton-on-Ouse three-tonne Tucano aircraft over a 100 metre distance in less than five minutes.

If they made it in time, local firm Manse Masterdor would donate £1,000 towards the cost of their new facilities.

After a high-protein lunch they completed the course heaving the plane steered by RAF Linton-on-Ouse pilot Flying Officer Neil Talbot of 207 (Reserve) Squadron with just seconds to spare.

Said ten-year-old Celtic skipper Lewis Chadderton: "We're quite small so the pilot said all our teams could have a go. Once we got it going it was all right but at first it wouldn't go."

Manager Dave Cowie added: "The £45,000 we need is about ten per cent of the full amount.

"If we make that figure, funding for the rest will come from the Football Foundation and other agencies."

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, April 26, 2006