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ENGLAND star Rio Ferdinand joined Tony Blair yesterday in a crusade against teenage gun and knife crime.

The pair met in Downing Street and agreed to launch a scheme in which Premiership footballers will warn kids of the perils of getting involved in gangs.

Man United defender Rio, 28, and other players will tour schools. PM Mr Blair wants all 20 Premiership clubs to provide at least one superstar to become an “ambassador”.

They would also visit youth clubs to help organise sports activities. A source said: “Our football stars could be a prize asset in tackling the root cause of gun culture.”

Mr Blair invited Rio to Number 10 when they met during a visit to gun-plagued Manchester in February.

An insider said: “They chatted about what could be done to halt the spread of weapons culture. Rio had some good ideas about how he and other footballers could get involved.”

A wave of fatal shootings and stabbings has seen seven teens killed in London this year.