Football crazy Lewis Swift, 11, stepped on to Wembley's hallowed turf last night in front of 80,000 cheering fans.
Lewis, of Turpins Lane, Kirby, was over the moon after being chosen to lead the England side out at last night's Wembley international with world champions France.
The youngster, who carried the Fair Play banner, was chosen from thousands of young England supporters.
"We put him in a ballot to go in as a mascot," said proud dad, Bobby Swift, "but last week we heard the Football Association wanted him as a flag bearer."
Lewis, who is a junior member of the England Travel Club and also supports Manchester United, attends Colchester High School.
There to watch him rub shoulders with the likes of Michael Owen were his mum, dad and brother as well as other members of the family.
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