THE UEFA Champions league trophy visited Gwent yesterday, ahead of next month’s final in Cardiff.

Fans flocked have their photo taken with iconic UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies during the special tour which visited Newport’s Llanwern High School and Friars Walk shopping centre before travelling on to Cwmbran Stadium.

The UEFA Champions league final will be held in Cardiff on June 3.

The day kicked off with excited school children getting the chance to take part in football sessions and have their photos taken with the trophies.

Thirteen-year-old Pupil Gurdas Singh said: “I think it’s awesome, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I will definitely watch the final.”

Thirteen-year-old Mia Trezise added: “I support Liverpool because my dad does. We only found out about this today so it’s a good opportunity to see what they’re like and try football.”

Another Llanwern High School pupil who was delighted to get his photo taken was 13-year-old Tyla Hurditch.

He said: “I’m really surprised that it has come to our school. I’m really happy because I support Barcelona and they’ve obviously touched it.”

After a weekend of highs for Newport football fans, following County’s last minute relegation escape on Saturday, people queued up at Friars Walk to get their photos taken with the trophies.

As well as the trophies, Newport Now organised entertainment including football freestylers and an exhibition of the FAW Trust’s Beat Ball project which attracts girls aged seven to 11 to the game by combining music, dance and football.

Many wore their Newport County shirts including lifelong Newport County fan Antony Selwood.

He said: “It’s the nearest I’ll ever get to the Champions League trophy, so I decided to come down.

“My wife has come down with me but she doesn’t like football. I’ll be going down to Cardiff for the day when it’s on, if I’m allowed.”

Nine-day old Cora was the youngest fan to have her photo taken with the trophies. Her dad Mark Foster held her in his arms for the photo.

He said: “It’s a nice day so I wanted to get the house, so I thought I would come and get a photo of Cora with the Champions League trophy. She likes kicking out and stuff so hopefully she’ll be a footballer one day.”

The trophy made a final stop at Cwmbran Stadium with over 1,000 people attending and queues stretching the entire length of the pitch.

Youngsters who attended were also encouraged to have a taste of football in Newport County-hosted drop-in sessions on the main pitch.

Kevin Kinsey, aged 50, from Abercarn, attended with his son Kaivan and son in law, Matthew Martin.

He said: "It was worth coming out in the end.

"The only reason I found out about this was when I was picking my son up from work.

"It was nice to come and have a photo taken with (the trophy) and to see the scale and size of it".

Son Kaivan, 19, said: "It's a big deal to me because I love football and it's never going to be here ever again so its worth trying to come down".

Matthew Martin, 25, added: "I follow football quite a lot and there are not many chances you will get to be that close to the Champions League trophy.

"It's quite an experience and something I'll probably never do again".

Phillip Cogdell, aged 59, of Newport, also attended the Cwmbran event with his grandchildren Bradley Jones and Maddie Higgs, both aged 11.

He said: "I'm not a true football fan and don't go to every match but I do follow it.

"It's an experience for the grandkids and for everyone".

Woodlands Community Primary pupil,  Bradley Jones - described as "football mad" by his family -  said it felt "great and exciting" to see the trophy up close.

The 11-year-old from Cwmbran added he was attending the event to "get scouted" and pays for New Inn Junior Football Club Under 11s.

Miss Higgs, speaking after getting her photo taken with the trophy, added: "I love football and it felt proper amazing".

The location of the event in Cwmbran was also significant as Cwmbran Town AFC were the first Welsh entrants in the Champions League around 24 years ago.

Cwmbran Town AFC youth chairman, Mark Williams, said it is "massively important" to get children involved in sport.

"We strive to provide the best opportunity for kids from the ones who are not very good to the ones who are amazing while providing the best facilities we can," he said.

"It's all about the kids and our club is built on the youth."