YORK City Knights are hoping family fun will help bring a bumper crowd to Huntington Stadium for Bank Holiday Monday's long-awaited league opener.

The Knights face likely promotion rivals Swinton Lions in the first game of the LHF National League Two campaign and, while a big crowd is already anticipated, the Knights are turning the occasion into a Family Fun Day with lots of giveaways to entice families to the match.

They include a discount on a match-day 'family ticket' (two adults, two under-16s), down to £20 from the normal price of £30, while anyone taking up this offer will be given a free adult ticket to North Yorkshire theme park Flamingo Land (normal price £16.50) and have a chance to win one of many prizes in a free half-time draw. GNER, Next Generation, Vue Cinema, Theatre Royal, York Dungeon and Fenwicks among others have contributed prizes.

Anyone with a family season ticket is also included in these offers.

The plan for the day also comprises a 20-minute family tag rugby match at 2pm. That will be followed by performances from top entertainer Darren Payne and The Boogie Knights Dance team while the Knights and Lions warm-up on the pitch. The big match then kicks off at 3pm.

Face painting and a bouncy castle will be free for use throughout the day, while mascot Norris the Knight will be handing out Easter eggs to the younger children.

Updated: 09:03 Saturday, March 26, 2005