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For many it's a formative experience that in memory connects the adult with the the enthusiastic child who absolutely loved their team, but it now appears that being a football club's mascot has become an increasingly expensive day out.

West Ham have been roasted in the English media over the last 24 hours after it emerged they charge an eye-watering £700 for kids to lead their team out at some Premier League games.

While many of England's top clubs offer kids the chance to take part for free, others such as Nottingham Forest, Norwich and Aston Villa advertise prices over £500 for their top games.

This level of cost has been criticised for excluding working class kids from ever walking out with their heroes and turning the experience into one only a financial elite could afford.

While it may be easy to characterise this as part the madness of Premier League football there are also several clubs in Scotland charging for something that would have been free in the past, with one top flight club charging a whopping £300 for the privilege.

The Daily Record spoke to all 12 Premier League clubs to find out how much yours is charging.

Celtic

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The champions have huge demand to be a mascot but offer the opportunity for young fans based on their annual membership to their youth supporter wing the Young Hoops. For kids aged between four and 14 the cost of membership is £20 a year and all mascots are chosen at random from this group. There is no cost if you are one of the lucky few to be chosen.

Lowest Cost- £20

Rangers

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The Ibrox men take their mascots from their pool of season ticket holders aged under 12. The volume of supporters in this age group was said to approximately 5000 so while the chances might be slim, it is completely free.

Lowest Cost - Free to season ticket holders

Hearts

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The Jambos give a place away for every game to Junior Jambos members which is only £15 a year membership.

They also offer a way to pay to guarantee your spot but it's the most expensive slot in Scotland at a wallet bursting £300. For that you do get a big bounty of Jambos stuff, including a kit, three tickets, a tour, a signed programme and kiosk vouchers for refreshments.

Lowest Cost - £15

Hibs

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Hibs give two places at every game to Hibs Kids members which costs £15 per annum. Like their West Edinburgh rivals you can also pay a premium to guarantee the chance to lead the team out. The club breaks up their costs into categories based on the opposition. Most matches come in at £155, with Aberdeen charged at £165 and Rangers, Celtic and Hearst costing £180. These deals include professional photographs, three tickets in prime seating and an official certificate signed by the club captain.

Lowest Cost - £15

Aberdeen

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Mascots are chosen from season ticket holders aged under 12 and AberDNA youth members which costs £96 a year.

Lowest Cost - Free to season ticket holders

Motherwell

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Members of the Junior Steel club, costing £25 per year, go into a draw for the chance to be a mascot at Fir Park. Two children from this scheme are chosen for each match at no cost.

Lowest Cost - £25

St Johnstone

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Members of the Junior Saints are selected as matchday mascots. The membership club is £20 for new members and £15 for renewals.

Lowest Cost - £15

St Mirren

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The Buddies charge £100 but £80 if one of the family is a season ticket holder. This price included two adult tickets for proud parents as well as pictures with the captain and favourite players and a match programme.

Lowest Cost - £80

Ross County

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Another that uses the opposition to set the price, County charge £150 for most games but £170 when Rangers and Celtic roll into town. For that you get four tickets to the game and a signed ball as part of the experience.

Lowest Cost - £150

Hamilton

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One of the league's smallest clubs charges one of the highest premiums but you do get a bit of bang for your buck. The package included a full strip, a tour of the club and matchday tickets for proud parents.

Lowest Cost - £180

Livingston

The West Lothian club charge £100 for kids to be a mascot but they get a plethora of experiences as part of the price. The costs includes meeting players in the changing rooms, meeting the manager in his office, taking part in the pre-match warm-up and a ticket for an accompanying adult.

Lowest Cost - £100

Kilmarnock

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The Ayrshire club charges £120.

Lowest Cost - £120