A LEOMINSTER reverend this week answered a call to perform an unusual type of blessing.

The Rev Mark Townsend made the trip to London to bless what is believed to be the world's largest football boot, made from 1,500 Pringles tubes, ahead of World Cup kick-off.

The request came after Pringles' research discovered that 50 per cent of footie fans have a match day superstition and decided to spread some positivity ahead of the games.

"With more than 13 years' experience performing special ceremonies, the world’s largest football boot is certainly the quirkiest thing I have ever been asked to bless," Mr Townsend said.

"I had a phone call out of the blue and it was a promo company who had found me via my website and liked the approach I took.

"They wanted a blessing because of their research and thought it would be fun to have a Brazilian dancer and priest to perform a blessing as they had made this giant football boot.

"It was great fun, very light-hearted and about getting people to think positive thoughts about the forthcoming tournament."

The 5.3 metres-long, 1.8 metres-wide, 1.9 metres-high structure weighs 490kgs – taking a team of designers, sculptors, engineers and food stylists 278 hours of manpower to build.

The boot could incorporate 960 normal pairs of football boots and is equivalent to a shoe size of 700.

Verification for a Guinness World Record is currently under way and football fans across the country have been invited to give the boot a rub for good luck as it went on a whistle-stop tour across England.

It is now at its new home – the National Football Museum in Manchester.

Mr Townsend added: "I hope that through the flow of expectant wishes and positive thinking we will bring the England football team luck ahead of kick-off in Brazil."