SOCCER-mad pupils from Bolton have scored a school trip with a difference . . . a visit to the World Cup. Later this month a coachload of young football fans will be the envy of pupils all over Bolton when they leave their lessons behind and head off for France. The highlight of the four-day trip will be watching the fancied Nigerians play the Bulgarians in Paris.

Sharples PE teacher Ivor Altdors arranged the trip for 25 pupils and also agreed to take nine youngsters from St James' in Farnworth and four ex-pupils who now attend North College.

Most are football-mad boys but Wanderers' fanatics Emma Grimwood and Toria Gore, both aged 15, will be representing the army of females now seen on the terraces.

Mr Altdors says the pupils, aged 11 to 16, are delighted they will be seeing top international players in action and are not too disappointed to miss out on an England match. He explained: "If we had waited until the day after the draw the price would have gone up from £225 to £325 so I decided to take a gamble.

"It seems to have paid off because we will see the second game in the so-called "group of death" and it should produce some very attractive, attacking football."

The fun-packed trip will also include a visit to Disneyland and playing in a football tournament for visiting schools.

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