A GROUP of 52 Chester school-children was embroiled in an alleged 'scam' that left 350 football fans without World Cup tickets.

Pupils at King's School travelled to Cologne thinking they had seats at the Czech Republic v Ghana game, organised by a school tour operator. After a 15-hour coach ride, they were told their £400 tickets were not available because of the alleged fraud.

But after hours of negotiating for tickets, the school director of football, former Wales and Everton player Barry Horne, managed to get the 12 and 13 year olds into the match.

Neil Benson, the father of two boys in the party, said: 'On the Friday night they were going to Cologne and we heard there had been a change of plan. They were told they would be going to see the Portugal v Iran game in Frankfurt instead.

'After that, we heard one or two parents had received phone calls from the boys saying they had been told they wouldn't be able to see the game at all.

'The boys were very upset. It seemed it was a 15-hour drive each way for nothing.'

Mr Benson said the children eventually got in to the Czech Republic v Ghana match.

Kings School headteacher Tim Turvey said: 'I understand Barry worked very hard - he obviously has contacts within the world of football and was able to locate some tickets that hadn't at that point been purchased. He is an outstanding teacher who always goes the extra mile.'

An international police investigation is under way after tour operator Activ4 was notified by its bank of irregularities and found its supplier, Tickets For All, had failed to provide tickets.