The big day out was a part of the England: Are you Ready Euro 2004 educational resource prize won by Jamie Dawes last month.

His poem, My Dream, was selected by Sven-Goran Eriksson and not only did the 11 year old win the England team coach for a day but he'll also lead out the squad before one of their crucial World Cup qualifiers next season.

Jamie, who starts at St Martin's in September, was excited about seeing the famous sights of the capital: "I've been shopping in London with my mum once before so I can't wait to see all the famous places today and take some pictures."

Driving the class around London was the official England team coach driver Joe Noctor: "I've been with England for the last four or five years and the last time I saw them was when I took the whole squad to Luton Airport before Euro 2004," said the Irishman who used to drive the Eire squad when Jack Charlton was at the helm.

"They're a very quiet team. Wayne Rooney's a really nice kid and Sven is a true gentleman," explained Joe.

Jamie's class teacher, Liz Perrin, explained more about the big day to London: "Our plan is get down to Buckingham Palace for 11.30am and see the changing of the guard and our route should also take in the Houses of Parliament, the Millennium Wheel, Trafalgar Square and the Tower of London.

"We want to use this trip as an end of school year celebration because we break up for the summer next Wednesday and that will be Jamie and his classmates' last day at Long Ridings," Liz added.