GILLINGHAM FC player Danny Spiller so impressed youngsters with his soccer skills during a visit to their school that many of them mistook him for former Manchester United superstar David Beckham.

The Kent club's midfielder took time out from training to open a new adventure playground at St Paul's Infant School in Maidstone. But when some of the pupils asked the player for his autograph, many were convinced he was actually the Real Madrid star.

Teacher Rita Mathur said: "We wanted a sports personality to come along because it helps teach children the message of leading a healthy life and a member of a football team is a perfect example of that.

"Mr Spiller was signing autographs and showing the children a few football tricks - in fact he was so good a lot of the children thought he was David Beckham."

Gurkhas attached to Maidstone-based 36 Engineers Regiment, who helped clear the land for the adventure trail at the school were also at the ceremony.

Mr Spiller was invited to perform the opening honours through the club's connections with the school. Gillingham players run a regular after-school football club there.