AN Evesham youngster's birthday dreams of being a football mascot were shattered when the promised treat turned sour.

Henry Pearce-Woods, a pupil from Bengeworth First School, who will be eight on Saturday, had hoped to celebrate his birthday as one of Aston Villa's mascots for last Saturday's FA Barclaycard Premiership match against Southampton.

But Henry's dream present turned into a nightmare when the coach organised for the party of family and friends did not appear, leaving them stranded in the town's High Street.

His father, Brett Woods, of Glencoe Road, said he had organised the VIP trip for 24 people to Villa Park through Eckington resident Mark Taylor.

Mr Woods said he was told a trip could be arranged, for £25 a head, to include a tour of the ground, a meal and match tickets. He added Mr Taylor had previously organised a successful trip to Anfield. He also said: "We were waiting in the High Street and Mark rang us to say that the coach had just left Tewkesbury and would be there in 20 minutes, but it never turned up. I am so sick and so angry as this had been for my son's 8th birthday present and my family and friends had also paid. We'd paid him £550.

"He claimed that he would be able to get my daughter, Charlotte, and my nephew, Dean, to be mascots too.

Phil Mepham, Aston Villa press officer said: "As a club we were obviously very disappointed that our name had been used in such a way without any authority.

"The children involved who thought they were going to be mascots at last Saturday's game can have the opportunity to be guests at a game next season, and also get to meet the players before the game."

He said that mascots were chosen through Villa's supporters or members clubs.

Vicki Davies, of West Mercia police, said the matter had been reported and a complaint about obtaining property by deception had been made.

She added: "Mr Taylor has been spoken to by our officers and they will have given him a deadline to return the money. An investigation is ongoing." Mark Taylor was unavailable for comment as the Journal went to press.