Ref. 31027-23RESIDENTS of a quiet Swindon street had a roon awakening yesterday.

Overnight witty pranksters had changed the 'M' in Romney Street, Shaw, into an 'O' in honour of teenage footballing sensation Wayne Rooney.

The 18-year-old England striker bagged an impressive brace in Monday's 4-2 thrashing of Croatia.

The result roars the Three Lions into a quarter-final tie against host country Portugal.

Ian and Denise Rendall, who live just a few feet from the sign, reckon the jokers struck just after final whistle.

"I think it's quite amusing," said Mr Rendall, 32. "I wish I had thought of it.

"Everyone has a touch of football fever at the moment after that result.

"The landlords have obviously been doing really well out of this tournament."

Daughter Chelsea Davis could certainly get used to the alteration.

She believes Rooney is definitely worthy of the attention.

The Year 4 Peatmoor pupil said: "He is a great goalscorer and I was jumping all over and shouting when he scored. I think the sign is really funny." Ian Kendrick, 33, of Cheviot Close, which connects with Romney Way, said it was just the ticket to relieve the morning blues.

"It certainly perked me up when I drove past this morning," he said.

And Rita Humphries, who lives at the top of Romney Way, said it showed the support for the player and the rest of Our Boys.

She said: "It's roon-mania at the moment. I have been watching the football and I think we're doing really well. Let's hope we can get past Thursday's game."

Meanwhile, budding Rooneys are being urged to take extra care when attempting to copy the star's trademark goal celebration. And the warning extends to beer-bellied adults too. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) expects a rise in football-related accidents as people attempt the "Rooney cartwheel".

Spokesperson Karen Blanchette said: "Children have always copied their football idols but this particular goal celebration could be dangerous especially if they try it near greenhouses or other obstacles.

"Each year there are around 7,000 reported football accidents and we predict a rise over the coming months due to Euro 2004.''

But Stephen Luke, headteacher of Freshbrook Primary in Worsley Road, and life-long Arsenal fan believes RoSPA is taking it a little too seriously. He said: "I expect our pupils will give the cartwheel a go but I certainly won't be telling them not to."

The RoSPA spokesperson added: "Adults coming out of pubs should also take care particularly those who haven't played the game for a while. Doing a cartwheel in a busy street is dangerous."

Mr Luke, a lifelong Arsenal fan, remembers several incidents when professional have injured themselves celebrating a goal.

"I know footballers are supposed to be role models but when you score a goal you don't always think clearly. It's easy to get carried away by all the excitement.

"A few years ago Tony Adams broke his arm after he fell on a team-mate following a goal.

"All I would ask is that children take a little care."

Kevin Shoesmith