A headteacher was the envy of the school when she turned up for a kickabout in Alan Shearer's shirt, writes MICHAEL HAMBLETON.

Not a replica shirt, but the actual one the England captain wore in Newcastle's Premier League game against Arsenal last month.

Julie Leigh donned the shirt for a photocall to promote Didcot's Stephen Freeman Primary School PTA's Christmas bazaar, which takes place at the school on Friday next week at 6.30pm. For £1, visitors can be photographed wearing the shirt.

Or they might prefer Paul Gascoigne's shirt, or one belonging to Arsenal captain Tony Adams, or football hard-man Vinnie Jones.

Mrs Leigh said: "I have to say Shearer must be a big man. His shirt was like a tent on me and I am 5ft 9in tall."

The shirts are being loaned by Chris Thomas, father of pupil Danielle Thomas, eight, who is pictured with Mrs Leigh along with school football captain Lee Davis, 10, Michael Violette, 10, and Sarah Snowdon, nine.

Chris, 33, works as a resource manager for a firm which often transports football teams to Scotland and the north of England. Part of his job is looking after VIPs, including the footballers, so when he asks for souvenirs they are more than happy to oblige.

Chris said: "I've built up a relationship with them as I look after them when they travel. I've looked after Arsenal for three years now.

"They're all brilliant. Nothing's too much trouble. I've taken my little girl with me and she's sat with David Seaman and done some drawings with him.

"Gazza's probably one of the best. If a child goes up to him for an autograph he doesn't just sign his name, he asks them their name and what team they support and has a joke with them."

Chris has one of Kevin Keegan's training shirts, given to him by Keegan's assistant manager. Keegan did not even know Chris had it until the shirt was presented for him to sign.

Chris, a Sunderland fan, also has shirts belonging to former Newcastle player Steve Watson, Arsenal player Dennis Bergkamp and Chelsea's Jody Morris. He has previously auctioned photographs of footballers and signed footballs to raise money for the school.

Mrs Leigh hopes the event will raise some of the £4,000 the school needs to help fund its £24,000 computer project - part of the Government's National Grid for Learning.

The fair will also include Santa's grotto, stalls, a barbecue and licensed bar.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.