A YOUNG carer from Basingstoke has had her football dream come true after being awarded tickets to an upcoming Championship match.

Nine-year-old Amelie Griffiths was presented with tickets to watch Southampton FC v Leicester City FC at St Mary's Stadium, in Southampton, after being selected by the Rotary Club of Basingstoke.

Amelie was nominated to receive the tickets by the Young Carers Group in Basingstoke, as she has a "close love" for the game of football but has never had the chance to witness a match live.

She will attend the match, which is scheduled for Friday, September 15, accompanied by her mother.

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The Rotary Club of Basingstoke has a partnership with the Hampshire Football Association, and it is through this connection that the organisation was able to source tickets for Amelie and her mother.

Tunde Adelakun, president of the Rotary Club of Basingstoke, said: "We believe it will be an exhilarating experience for Amelie as we seek to continually make a token but effective impact on lives in our community.

"I hear Amelie is a bit of a tomboy and that the experience will not waste on her."

Tunde, who has a background working within the football industry, has previously expressed how he plans to use the sport to bring positive changes to the town and reconnect people with the Rotary Club.

Upon receiving his chains as president of the club earlier this year, Tunde said: "I will use football a lot to commit people to Rotary, and I'm not going to apologise for it."

Speaking to the Gazette previously, he added: "We want to encourage youngsters to come and play football, keep them engaged and also engage with the parents so they can see what Rotary is all about."