FOOTBALL fan Gino Pani hopes to be flying the flag for Italy when he heads for the World Cup in France, thanks to a top competition win.

The dad-of-two was thrilled to scoop two tickets for the final after entering the national competition at his local bank.

And although he is hoping his home country will get through to the final, the Italian born men's hairdresser also admits to having a soft spot for England.

Gino, 34, who works in his dad's business, Salon Bruno in Egerton Street, Farnworth, entered the NatWest Mastercard competition, but never expected he would win.

He said: "I don't enter many competitions but when I do I don't expect to win anything."

But Gino, who lives close to Bolton town centre, was one of 82 winners who will travel by Eurostar to the Stade De France in Paris for the final on Sunday, July 12.

And he chose his 36-year-old brother Sergio, from Stockport, to join him on the trip of a lifetime.

Gino, who would like to see a final between his native Italy and flamboyant Brazil, had to answer three questions and think up a humorous tie-breaker to win his prize.

Now Gino, who is married to Millie, 35, and has two daughters, two-year-old Ariana and Bruna, seven months, can't wait for his trip to France.

He said: "I love football, the whole family does. I am really looking forward to the final and keeping my fingers crossed that both Italy and England do well in the World Cup."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.