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Enterprising apprentice Francesca Sedgwick touched the heart of Sir Alex Ferguson with a letter imploring him to help open her company's new office suite as it would earn her 'brownie points.'

And the Manchester United legend was so impressed by the youngster's cheeky approach that he joined Manchester City and England legend Colin Bell MBE, 69, for the opening ceremony.

Sir Alex, 74, called into the Venturi Recruitment offices in Crown House, Wilmslow, Cheshire, and ahead of cutting the ribbon alongside City great Bell he addressed the hushed room on the importance of apprenticeships.

Wearing a smart business suit Sir Alex told the company's 37 staff and a handful of guests: 'I was an apprentice toolmaker, never in the shipyards, but with Remington Rand. They made shavers, it was a long time ago.

'In the last 25 years it's been very easy for people to go to college or university, so we find life skills and hand skills once commonplace have been missing for very many years in British industry.

'But apprenticeships are important. It creates loyalty and develops their character. They never forget the people who gave them their first opportunity.'

The former Manchester United manager, who believes apprenticeships 'instil values of excellence' had the company's staff laughing as he jokingly revealed: 'Francesca by the way cost me £1.50. I had to go and pay for the letter at the Post Office.

'It's in my diary - I will give her the bill.'

(Image: Reuters / Phil Noble)

Francesca, who is the company's trainee social media and marketing manager, interjected she was a bit embarrassed and offered to reimburse the knight of the realm for the underpaid postage.

But Sir Alex smiling added: 'You should be embarrassed. It's a pleasure to see you Francesca.'

'King of the Kippax' Colin agreed with Sir Alex and said of apprenticeships: 'We had 12 apprentices at Manchester City and they would clean the boots before they played their own games. Apprenticeships help young people learn their trade properly.'

Francesca, 21, said: 'I was tasked with finding someone suitable to open the office and couldn't think of anyone more famous in Wilmslow than Sir Alex Ferguson, so I posted him a letter.

'I was in a friend's car when he called and I couldn't believe it. Sir Alex is a legend and he just rang me up on my mobile phone.

'I recognised his voice straightaway, but was probably in shock. I'd sent him the letter the week before and a week later he was on the phone and six days after that he was performing the opening ceremony.

'I was really taken aback when he called, but I had noted that he'd always taken an interest in youth.

'He told me he'd had to pay £1.50 to get the letter and even joked about charging me for a photograph.

'But he came along to the opening and both he and Colin Bell were fantastic. We're planning a table football competition in the office and I'd love to get them back to hand out the prizes at that.

'They are both so successful in their own right and will help attract more young people to the company as we hope to expand to 100 staff in these premises.

'I am still pinching myself that six days after Sir Alex called that he was in the office cutting the ribbon alongside Mr Bell.'

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Francesca's managing director Brad Lamb and contract director James Doyle, both 36, couldn't believe the coup their apprentice of just eight months had pulled off.

Mr Lamb said: 'It was a proud, milestone moment as Venturi, launched into our new offices with the capacity to grow to 100 staff.

'We passionately believe in giving youth a chance and have extensively supported local apprenticeship schemes over the years.

'Francesca Sedgwick our trainee Social Media & Marketing manager, currently going through the apprenticeship scheme invited two living legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Colin Bell into our new office to cut our red and blue ribbons, appealing to prospective staff whether they support Manchester United or Manchester City.

'It was a truly amazing experience which was topped off by an inspiring talk on what the apprenticeship scheme means to Sir Alex.'