AN MP's bid to introduce a new anthem for England's sporting teams has gained Parliamentary support, despite being kicked into touch by rugby and football bosses.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope wanted to mark the Rugby World Cup victory by giving God Save the Queen the push in favour of a song which has particular meaning for English sporting fans.

He tabled an Early Day Motion, which appears on Parliament's daily agenda sent to all ministers, MPs and senior civil servants, to try

to put pressure on sporting authorities to come up with the new national song.

The Football Association and Rugby Football Union have turned down his request for them to find a new national anthem for internationals.

But despite their cold shoulder, support is growing at Westminster for his Commons motion on the issue.

Twelve other MPs have supported the Hyndburn Labour backbencher - including Tories Andrew Rosindell and Peter Luff , Liberal Democrat Bob Russell and Welsh Nationalist Elfyn LLwyd.

The Motion reads: "I note that at international sporting events such as football and rugby, Scotland has Flower of Scotland played as its national anthem.

"I also note that Wales has Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land Of My Fathers) played as its national anthem. But I am disappointed to note that England has God Save the Queen played.

"I believe that God Save the Queen is appropriate as a national anthem for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland but is not appropriate as the national anthem of England alone.

"And I believe that England should have its own national anthem for sporting events and, tentatively, suggest that it should be Jerusalem." A spokesman for the Rugby Football Union said: "The Queen is our patron. We sing God Save the Queen before matches. We intend to continue doing so."

A spokesman for the Football Association said: "Our view echoes that of the RFU. We sing God Save the Queen before matches because it is the English as well as UK national anthem. Our players sing it with great passion and it is our intent that they will continue to do so.''

Mr Pope said: "I am disappointed at the RFU response. They don't seem to have got the point.

"It doesn't matter that the Queen is their patron. It's not about the Monarchy it's about the inappropriate use of the UK national anthem for England only teams - especially when playing Wales or Scotland.

"By that argument, as Princess Anne is the patron of the Scottish RFU, their team should sing God Save the Princess Royal.

"I am not saying that it has to be Jerusalem', I am happy for others to make their own suggestions.

" I'm just glad that we've got the debate going on the issue at Westminster.''

Scottish-born Pendle MP Gordon Prentice has expressed his support for Mr Pope but former Shadow Welsh Secretary Nigel Evans, born in Swansea and a former Cardiff Arms Park regular but sitting for Ribble Valley, disagrees.