THIS is the moment when Grubber the Rugby League World Cup bear met his maker.

Grubber and his friend Steed the Rugby ball are the official mascots of the Rugby League World Cup, which begins in October.

And Warrington Wolves fan, Luke James, aged 12, is one of three youngsters behind the design of the mascot after entering a competition last year involving more than 1,000 entries from schoolchildren in England and France.

Luke, who lives in Adlington but is originally from Warrington, said he was thrilled to finally meet Grubber and was very pleased with his creation: He said: “It looks great — he is really big. I designed the bear and the shirt and I’m really happy with them.

“I entered the competition after my mum saw it on the internet. I couldn’t believe it when I found out I had won — I have never been so excited.”

And Luke, who attends Bolton School, has even more reason to be excited, because his prize also includes tickets to two matches during the tournament, and he and the two other young designers will get to lead the teams out at the final at Old Trafford on November 30.

He said: “I would like to see Australia in action, and England of course, and I hope to see a game at Warrington’s stadium as I am a big fan of the Warrington Wolves.”

The Rugby League World Cup, which will include two matches at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in October and November, begins on October 26.