TWINS were wafting the flag for Warrington at Old Trafford when Manchester United entertained Italian giants Inter Milan in the Champions' League.

A multi-million audience around the world was watching the soccer feast live on television on Wednesday but 12-year-olds Natalie and Leanne Hooper had a better view than anyone - they were on the pitch!

The sisters from Petersfield Gardens, Culcheth, were part of the Manchester United Under 14s girls' soccer team which was waving the Champions' League flag in the centre circle as the two teams entered the arena.

The soccer-mad girls, who attend Culcheth High School, will never forget the atmosphere of the 55,000-packed Old Trafford cauldron.

Their mum Mary said: "Not many people can say they have done what they've done, even to have just walked on the sacred turf.

"But it is an honour for them and an honour for the town to have two girls who have done this."

Natalie, a centre midfielder or forward, and Leanne, a left sided defender or midfielder, signed for Manchester United last August when the team was put together for the first time and they have just been told that they will be kept on for next season too.

Mary says: "They have played regularly during the year and are delighted to be kept on. The team is treated just the same as all the other teams at the club, even the first team, and I was surprised about how professionally they go about things."

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