CHRISTOPHER Hawkins could make up to £50,000 when he sells a pair of David Beckham's football boots.

The 12-year-old is getting rid of the England captain's boots so he can buy himself a telescope.

Christopher, of Exmouth Street, Kingshill, won the boots in a children's internet football quiz two years ago.

They are from the 1997-98 season and have a number two on the heel and the word 'Becks' embroidered on the tongues.

The size eight match-worn black, red and white Adidas Predator leather boots were today going under the hammer at Christie's in South Kensington, London.

Dad, Peter, said: "Chris went up with his mum very early this morning and was excited about the auction."

When he won the boots, Christopher, who is a Newcastle United fan and attends Commonweal School, said he would keep them in a glass case in the dining room to save them from getting dirty.

He said at the time of his win: "You had to get five questions out of six right and then your name was put into a hat with about 10,000 others.

"Then the company left a message on our answering machine to say I had won."

Christopher's mother Lynn, 51, said her son was not particularly into football and not at all a Manchester United fan.

The boots were bought by the owners of the Funplanet website in March 2000, from Christie's for £13,721.01.

It is thought this figure could dramatically increase after Beckham's popularity has soared over the last year.