Grove schoolboy Thomas Froud scored the chance of a lifetime when he trained with David Beckham at the footballer's soccer school.

Thomas, his father Tim and best friend Kieran Pope were chauffeur-driven to the David Beckham Academy in Greenwich, London, last Monday where they met the former England captain, who had flown in from Madrid just for the day.

The 10-year-old won the money-can't-buy day out courtesy of Volkswagen Touran, a partner of the academy.

Thomas and Kieran were given special kits before taking part in a question and answer session with their idol, and posing for pictures with Beckham.

The budding footballers also took part in a special workshop taught by the resident coaches at the school. Mr Froud, of Hunters Close in Grove, near Wantage, said the boys had an absolutely fantastic day at the academy.

He said: "Once through the front door, the day was well organised and the facilities second to none. Meeting David Beckham was the pinnacle of the day and the boys have come away with memories for a lifetime.

"They are still finding it difficult to get their other friends to actually believe it!'' The David Beckham Academy was opened in November 2005 and is the largest facility of its kind in Europe.

It has two full-size indoor pitches and features state-of-the-art classrooms, a dining hall, training facilities and changing rooms.

It is designed to provide a fun and interactive experience for boys and girls of all skill levels.

Volkswagen spokesman Catherine Woolfe said: "We are extremely proud of our partnership with the David Beckham Academy.

"We are delighted that the partnership allows us to provide some of the UK public and our customers with memorable experiences."