MORE than 30 schools from West Fife didn't let the wet weather stop them as they showcased their football skills at the recent Gary Riddell Football Festival.

Hundreds of kids, mainly in P6-P7, dreaming of becoming the next Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo gathered at Pitreavie Playing Fields to take part in the annual event.

Organised by West Fife Primary Schools Football, the festival is named in memory of former Pars star Gary, who tragically passed away while running the Dunfermline half marathon for victims of the Hillsborough disaster in June 1989.

Although rain meant that some of the grass pitches were unplayable, the action moved on to Pitreavie's astroturf pitches with the support of Active Schools Fife and sport ambassadors from Inverkeithing High School.

Brian Batchelor, of West Fife Primary Schools Football, said: "The day went really well overall and, although some of the grass pitches were waterlogged, we were able to use the astroturf and the format was changed to five-a-side.

"The ambassadors from Inverkeithing High, and Active Schools who organised them, were invaluable on the day and there was some fantastic football on display.

"Overall it was a great success and the weather didn't hold back West Fife football!"

Certificates and prizes were handed out to the participating pupils following the festival.