RESIDENTS are amazed after it emerged that Manchester United's star player Radamel Falcao has his roots in their village near Selby.

The Colombian striker's great-grandfather George King is reported to have lived in Burn until deciding in 1932 to emigrate to South America with his pregnant wife.

Falcao's father Radamel Garcia, who himself was a footballer, has revealed that shortly after arriving in Colombia, having accepted a post as an accountant, George's wife died during childbirth.

He later fell for a Colombian girl, Juliana, with whom he had five children; Jack, Roy, Carlos, Telma and Denis - Falcao’s grandmother.

Falcao, who was named after the Brazilian star who lit up the 1982 World Cup and has more than 50 caps for Colombia, was coaxed from Monaco by United manager Louis van Gaal on transfer deadline-day.

Gordon Holmes, who was Burn parish council chairman for 44 years and has lived in the village since his birth in 1934, said: "It's the first I've heard of it - it's exciting." He was not aware of any relatives of Mr King who were still living in the area.

The news delighted Sonia Hearld, one of the co-ordinators of the village's famous Christmas lights who has persuaded celebrities including Coronation Street star Hilda Ogden, aka Jean Alexander, to perform the switch-on ceremony in the past.

She said that while the Rock Choir from Selby was switching on the lights this year on November 29, Falcao would be most welcome to come back to his roots - in particular to perform the ceremony in a future year.