Arise Sir Quinn Melton!

AT six years old, most young boys dream of becoming the next David Beckham or a lead singer in a pop band.

But little Quinn Melton has only ever had one wish in mind – becoming a knight for the day.

And yesterday the six-year-old's ambition came true when he was knighted by an empress in the banqueting hall of Hedingham Castle.

Quinn, of Woollards Gardens, Long Melford, near Sudbury, has developed a huge interest in medieval life since first visiting the castle last year.

The Long Melford Primary School pupil even saved all of his Christmas money to buy a special knight costume, which could be worn on trips to the Norman castle.

Sylvia Horder, who gives historic talks to visitors at the castle, said Quinn was one of the most enthusiastic visitors of all she had come across at the site.

On special jousting days, Mrs Horder plays the Empress Matilda, who made Aubrey De Vere, one of William the Conqueror's knights, the first Earl of Oxford, and arranges for schoolchildren to become a lady or a knight for the day.

"Quinn came to the castle before and became really interested in medieval knights and since then he has becoming backwards and forwards," she said.

"For Christmas he asked all his relatives to buy him a knight's costume so he could become a knight.

"Wearing the costumes really inspires the children to visualise how it was and I get many children coming back again."

Hundreds of children pack into the castle grounds during jousting events to watch a team of red knights take on a team of blue in mortal combat.

They can also try their hands at archery, firing arrows at targets located in the castle's dry moat and cannot fail to be entertained by the wandering minstrels, jesters and other medieval characters.

Quinn was presented with a certificate yesterday to remember his special day and will no doubt be already planning his next visit.