WHAT better place for World Cup fans to cheer on their favourites than The Old England?

And punters raised pints to toast the World Cup as they cheered on England at the Bispham village pub early yesterday (June 12).

Landlady Janet Rydings, who got up at 4.30am to open the pub at 7am for the England v Nigeria match, said: "It's been brilliant. Everyone has been very well behaved and in great spirits."

And she praised her seven members of staff who also got up early to make sure customers had drinks and breakfast throughout.

Soccer fever also hit Blackpool schools. Pupils across the borough were allowed to go to school later than usual in a bid to stop them playing truant for the whole day.

Some schools even invited pupils to go in early and watch the big match on site. At Montgomery High School, Bispham, pupils were allowed into school at 7am to watch the match on a large cinema screen in the assembly hall.

Linda McMillan, deputy head at the All Hallows Road school, said: "It was very successful. It didn't cause any disruption and we thought it was well worth it. The children were very excited and enjoyed the opportunity of watching the game with their friends."

And youngsters were able to satisfy their hunger for bacon butties as well as soccer as a special breakfast service was also laid on.

England progressed to the next stage with a 0-0 draw with Nigeria and now face Denmark on Saturday (June 15).