A FAMILY have flown all the way from New York to go to the semi-final.

Ian Postings and Clare Underdown used to live in Westover Road, Downley, but emigrated to the US six months ago.

They were season ticket holders at Adams Park but thought they would have to listen to the semi-final on the internet because they couldn't fly back from their New York State home.

Haymill Saab, of Beaconsfield Road, Farnham Common, stepped in and offered to pay for return flights for Ian, Clare and their children, Robert, six, and Emma, three, after hearing about their plight on Radio 5 programme, 606.

Haymill Saab, which sponsors Lawrie Sanchez, e-mailed them, asking them whether they would want to go to the semi-final.

Mr Postings said: "I thought it was a joke at first. I thought it was a wind-up from a friend."

Once they realised they would be able to get to the game, all hell broke loose.

Mr Postings said: "Normally anything to do with football, we're jumping round the house. When we're like that, our three-year-old hides in the cupboard under the stairs."

The family touched down on Wednesday and will be back in High Wycombe today to meet their old neighbours. Then on Sunday, it's off to Villa Park for Ian and Clare, with the children left behind with their grandparents.

Graham Hurley, sales manager of Haymill Saab, said the company was only too pleased to help out: "They're obviously very keen supporters so we thought we'd get them over here," he said.