BLACKBURN Rovers stars kicked off the festive season in style at the Junior Rovers Christmas Party.

First-team players Sam Gallagher, Lewis Holtby, Derrick Williams and Jayson Leutwiler joined hundreds of young fans for the annual Christmas celebration at the club's Ewood Park stadium.

The players were joined at the two-hour event, which was held in Jack’s Kitchen, by Rover the Dog, cast members from Aladdin, children’s entertainer Dozy Dave and Santa Claus himself, who handed out a selection of Cadbury's goodies from his sleigh.

A club spokesman said: "The Rovers stars held an exclusive meet and greet with competition winner Ethan, before taking centre stage in the main room, where they posed for photos and signed autographs for the children enjoying the party.

"The excited youngsters were also able to enjoy hot dog and chips and ice-cream, computer games, craft activities, colouring sheets, face painting and much more."