A MOBILE French invasion swept through the streets of Southampton yesterday as hundreds of rollerbladers got their skates on.

More than 500 in-line skaters from Southampton's French twin, Le Havre, heavily outnumbered English enthusiasts for the Euroblade 2000 event.

But city councillors were hoping that the blading bonanza would spark local interest in mounting a huge cross-Channel return visit.

The event started with a Gallic flourish at the cenotaph in Above Bar where the city council's executive member for leisure, Derek Burke, set enthusiasts off on a 14-mile course taking in specially-closed roads round Southampton Common.

"This is a normal thing in Le Havre - they do it every couple of months. It's good because it gets people fit and out onto the streets. There is a good social mix and you don't have to be superfit to do it," said councillor Burke who promised there would be a return in Le Havre, hopefully in the new year.

He also praised Southampton University students who helped organise and marshal the event.

Council colleague John Slade was also enthusiastic, pointing out that in-line skaters seldom got the chance to use roads at the speed they wanted.

He said: "The city needs to put on more events like this."