THERE was high security at York RUFC's Clifton Park headquarters yesterday as the William Webb Ellis Trophy made its flying visit to York.

Rugby union's World Cup trophy - nicknamed "Bill" - stopped off in York for two and half hours in between similar visits to Harrogate and Hull as part of its whistle-stop tour of England, and in that time no fewer than 600 people had their photo taken with it.

Those 600 included 300 children from eight York primary schools - Clifton Prep, Wigginton, Burton Green, Headlands, Copmanthorpe, Dunnington, Westfield and Clifton Without - plus York RUFC sponsors and members from other local rugby union clubs, namely York RI, Nestl Rowntree, Selby, Scarborough, Thirsk and Northallerton. The Lord Mayor of York Coun Charles Hall and Sheriff of York Keith Orrell were also in attendance.

The security was a bit overprotective - no-one was allowed within six feet of the Perspex-encased gold trophy apart from when it went indoors - though it all helped to create a certain aura to embellish the glory of England's World Cup triumph in Australia last year.

The trophy itself, first played for in 1987, is worth about £20,000 but has been insured for £5million such is its importance, said York RUFC director of rugby Andy Gair.

"It's been a bit of a military operation but that's the only way to get so many people photographed with it," he explained.

"We had various meetings building up to it - could we cope with 600-plus people in two and a half hours - and we've done so. The schools have been great and all the kids have been well-behaved."

Four Leeds Tykes rugby union players were also on hand to take impromptu coaching sessions with some of the youngsters.

Gair added: "We want to promote the sport and show the kids that they can enjoy it, and it's all gone really well."

Updated: 10:34 Thursday, March 04, 2004