'The important reason I wanted to be mascot at 76'

Terry (left) and Peter Kilgariff are 'Preston North Enders through and through"

A football fan living with dementia said he was "chuffed" when he discovered he had been selected as a mascot for an England international at Wembley Stadium.

Lifelong Preston North End supporter Peter Kilgariff was diagnosed with the condition in 2020 at the age of 71.

He will join 21 other football fans living with dementia in walking out alongside the England men's team against Wales on Thursday.

"I never thought anything like this would happen to me or my family," said Peter, from Longridge in Lancashire.

"It came out of the blue - well blue and white in this case!"

Football fans have been nominated from across England and Wales to represent the many different faces of dementia in the UK.

The idea has been organised by the Alzheimer's Society.

Those selected will replace the child mascots that usually accompany players on to the pitch ahead of kick-off.

'Historic night'

Peter was informed of the exciting news in a letter from England manager Thomas Tuchel a couple of weeks ago.

His brother Terry Kilgariff said he was delighted for his sibling, whose wife Jackie died in June.

"It's been a tough time but this coming along has given us something to look forward to and brought the family together," he said.

"Everyone is jealous of him.

"I think he is going to try and persuade [England's record goalscorer] Harry Kane to come to North End!"

Peter said his late wife would be "as chuffed as I am" about his big opportunity.

In the north-west of England about 106,000 people are living with dementia.

Only half of them have received an official diagnosis, according to the Alzheimer's Society.

Alex Hyde-Smith, chief marketing officer at the charity, said Thursday promised to be "a historic night",

"We know beating dementia will require the ultimate team effort, and football is the ultimate team game," he said.