A Croydon girl played a part in the first competitive match at the new Wembley stadium - as a mascot for the Italy under-21 team.

Lexi Jordan, of Sydenham Road, walked out with the Azzuri in front of a 60,000-strong crowd on Saturday for the game against England.

The six-year-old was joined by her aunt and uncle, Paul White, who entered a competition to find mascots.

Lexi was not just a mascot but a lucky charm as the player she held hands with before the game was hat-trick hero, Giampaolo Pazzini.

Paul said: "Lexi had a great day, as did I. I think she was a little overcome at first but when we got her home to her mother she was full of it."

The number of supporters watching the 3-3 draw broke world records for an under-21 game, despite the stadium being only two-thirds full.

The old Wembley closed in 2000. The new stadium was due to reopen in August 2005 but hold-ups led to sports and music events being cancelled.