Steven nets dream match

5:30pm Wednesday 27th June 2007

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Ten-year-old Steven Bolton was star struck as he took to the courts to play the British number one tennis ace Andy Murray after winning a competition on breakfast show, GMTV.

Steven, who lives in Fulwood with his mum and dad, Pamela and John, was asked to write why he deserved to play tennis with the sports star ... and won!

The youngster, who plays for the Lancashire County under 10's team, was whisked off to the Boodles Tournament in Surrey to spend the day with Andy, his mum and coach, Judy Murray and presenter and former British number one, Andrew Castle, last week.

Steven, who is a pupil at St Clare's RC Primary School, in Sharoe Green Lane, said: "It was great. I've never played on grass courts before and Andy showed me some really good shots."

Steven had a warm up with Andrew before going head-to-head with his hero last Wednesday.

Footage of the game was shown on GMTV earlier this week to coincide with the start of the hotly-contested tennis tournament, Wimbledon.

Murray is currently the UK's best ranked player, with a world ranking of eight.

Steven's mum, a family support worker for the Alzheimer's Society, said; "This was a dream come true for Steven and he managed to get some really good shots. I am so proud."

Steven suffered from Craniosynostosis when he was a baby, a condition where joints in the skull of close too early, causing problems with normal brain and skull growth.

However, since then Steven has had a major operation and is now fully recovered.