A TOWN centre pub was forced to close when tensions grew around five hours after England's World Cup victory over Denmark.

All customers were ejected by police officers from the Mill Stone, The Circus, Darwen, at around 7.30pm on Saturday.

The pub re-opened around an hour later when doormen caused anger by refusing entry to people who they judged were drunk.

Spirits had grown throughout the afternoon as drinkers downed pints to celebrate England's 3-0 victory and passage into the quarter finals.

No violent incidents took place in the pub, but landlord Carl Done said they called in the police because they could sense trouble was brewing.

"When you're running a pub you know when customers are having a good time and when it could turn to damaging my premises," he said.

The pub doesn't have any big screens, so supporters tend to watch the games elsewhere and descend on the Mill Stone later on, said Carl.

"We have to balance things out," he said, "we don't want the pub to get damaged or people to get injured. If there is anti-social behaviour, whether by football fans or not, I have to stop it."

Brian Scott, of Lisbon Drive, Darwen, who was in a group who were refused re-entry, said: "Why did this establishment allow a party of drunken fans in, and then not be competent enough to contain the situation?"