The chance for youngsters to meet and train with the stars of Swindon Town ended up as a complete wash-out.

About 20 children were hoping to take part in an exclusive training session with their favourite footballers, but ended up kicking a ball around with their dads when no one from Swindon Town or GWR Radio, which organised the event, turned up.

Laura Sharp, 41, of Calder Close, Greenmeadow, whose 10-year-old son Ben missed out, said: "It's not the end of the world, but it is to the kids.

"Everyone knows mistakes happen, but try telling the kids that when they've been waiting three months for it."

The radio station has apologised for dashing the dreams of the young football fans.

In a statement the station said: "GWR are really sorry for the disappointment caused at this weekend's planned training session with Swindon Town footballers at Cirencester arena.

"We take full responsibility for the error and what's important to us now is re-arranging another date for this event."

Parents and children gathered at Cirencester arena on Sunday, but, after waiting for more than half an hour, they had to finally accept the players were not coming.

Parents spent much of their Sunday in the rain consoling their children, many of whom had been given the training day as a Christmas present.

Tony Acres, 36, of Lismore Road, Highworth, directed his anger at the radio station, which had promised his son Lewis, seven, friend Reilly Harris, eight, a day to remember.

He said: "I feel very let down and I feel sorry for the kids who left there feeling very disappointed.

"The station has almost sold something that doesn't exist."

Mrs Sharp added: "My son had told all his friends at school that he was meeting the Swindon Town players and they didn't believe him so he was going to take pictures."

Another child was supposed to be doing a presentation to his class on the experience, while one parent had driven 60 miles to avoid flooding just to be there.

Tickets for the training day, which cost £25, were bought as part of GWR Radio's Christmas appeal auction in aid of disadvantaged children. The auction raised £51,000.

Thanks to trainee fitness instructor Mark Sharp the children were able to enjoy an impromptu training session.

A Swindon Town Football Club spokesman said the club had not been informed about the event.

He said: "The club were not aware that any players were required. We are speaking to GWR to investigate the problem that occurred.

"Where we can we try to support community events."

The station said all the parents have been contacted and will be kept updated.