IT was a dream come true for singer and football fan Allan Clayton when he was picked to perform the National Anthem at the FA Cup Final.

Allan, from Hampden Road, Malvern Link, was one of three people chosen to sing at Saturday's match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

The 24-year-old tenor, who is studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London, decided to audition after seeing an advert for singers to perform at the match.

"There were quite a few of us there so it was brilliant to be picked," said Allan.

"I'm unlikely to play in the finals so it was about as close as I could get!"

Allan, a former pupil at Kings College, Worcester, has performed throughout the UK, Europe, the Far East and the United States, but never before such a large audience.

However, his nerves were calmed after being given some words of encouragement by Arsenal star Thierry Henry.

"I was chatting to him in the tunnel while I waited to go on and he made it all seem more normal," said Allan.

"I've sung in front of about 4,000 before at the Royal Albert Hall, but to perform before 70 or 80,000 is incredible.

"There was a moment in the second verse when I thought I'd forgotten the words, but it turned out okay.

"It was just brilliant - I can't think of a bad moment."

Friends and family watched Allan's performance eagerly on television

"I came off and went to my dressing room to get my phone and I had about 27 messages. Everyone was really excited," he said.

Allan was then able to relax and watch the match with a friend from their top grade seats.