WITH just two days to go until the world's biggest football tournament gets underway, footy fans in Burnley are gearing up for World Cup fever.

Scores of pubs have been granted special licences to open up early so fans can cheer on Beckham and co and many companies are taking steps to make sure their employees will be able to enjoy the games without throwing a "sickie."

Some reports have suggested that up to 70 per cent of people could phone in sick on the day of the England matches rather than run the risk of missing the national team in action.

The competition, hosted this year by Japan and South Korea, includes 21 early games between the first game between champions France and Senegal on Friday and the final on Sunday, June 30. Lancashire County Council are one of those where flexi-time scheme will allow workers to watch the matches as long as they make up the time later.

Restaurant chain Little Chef, which has a branch in Barracks Road, Burnley, are providing an alternative venue from the pub to watch the matches.

Big screens will be on offer alongside the traditional full English for footy fans who are on the road or who want to avoid the pub.

If fans do fancy a pint with the match, among the pubs laying on special events is the Pendle Inn in Barley which is putting on a special breakfast for the first England match against Sweden.

However, only pubs that have big screen TVs and provide food will be allowed to open up for the tournament.

At Walshaw County High School, in Eastern Avenue, Burnley, a special World Cup room is being put aside where staff and pupils will be able to watch the important matches.

During the England games which fall during school teaching hours, staff will be allowed to take the class to watch the match if they choose.

And students and staff at Ivy Bank County High, Byron Street, Burnley, will be able to watch the matches on a big screen set up in the school hall.

BURNLEY

BB Eleven, Coal Street, Burnley; Big Window, Manchester Road, Burnley; Bootleggers Bar, Bootway, Burnley; Brunshaw Hotel, Brunshaw Road, Burnley; Coach and Horses, Church Street, Burnley; Craven Heifer, Briercliffe Road, Burnley; Crooked Billet, Smith Street, Worsthorne; Dugdale Arms, Dugdale Road; Flying Dutchman, Burnley Road; Hare and Hounds, Halifax Road, Briercliffe; Orange House, Hammberton Street, Burnley; Paradise Island, Bull Street, Burnley; Prairie, Keswick Road, Burnley; Rileys Snooker Hall, Hargreaves Street, Burnley; Rose and Crown, Manchester Road, Burnley; Sidewalk 53, Bootway, Burnley; Sparrow Hawk, Church Street, Burnley; Sun Inn, Burnley Road, Briercliffe; Talbot Hotel, Church Street, Burnley; White Horse, Burnley Road, Padiham; Woodman, Todmorden Road, Burnley; Burnley Miners Club, Plumbe Street, Burnley; Ighten Leigh Club, Padiham Road, Burnley; Lane Ends Hotel, Kiddrow Lane, Burnley; Angel Inn, Accrington Road, Burnley; Plane Tree Hotel, Westgate, Burnley; General Havelock, Accrington Road, Burnley; Brierclife WMC, Holgate Street, Briercliffe; Clog and Spindle, Yorkshire Street, Burnley; Stanley Hotel, Oxford Road, Burnley; Shakespeare Hotel, Lytham Street, Padiham.

PENDLE

Bay Horse, Wheatley Lane Road, Fence; Crow Hotel, Albert Road, Colne; Derby Arms, Newmarket Street, Colne; Hour Glass, Leeds Road, Nelson; Lord Nelson, Market Square, Nelson; Marsden Cross, Higher Reedley Road, Brierfield; Morris Dancers, Byron Road, Colne; North Valley, North Valley Road, Colne; Shepherds Arms, Church Street, Colne; Thatch and Thistle, Surrey Road, Nelson; Trawden Arms, Church Street, Trawden; George and Dragon, Gisburn Road, Barrowford; General Gordon, Halifax Road, Nelson; Feathers, Colne Road, Brierfield; Trafalgar Hotel, Railway Street, Nelson; Victoria Hotel, Gisburn Road, Barrowford; Prince of Wales, Leeds Road, Nelson; Craic Ith Wall, Market Street, Colne; Railway Hotel, Station Road, Barnoldswick; Earby Sports Club, New Road, Earby; Union WMC, The Butts, Barnoldswick; Earby Con Club, Water Street, Earby; Snowball. Halifax Road, Brierfield.

ROSSENDALE

Ashworth Arms, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall; Boars Head, Church Street, Newchurch; Clarence, Helmshore Road, Haslingden; Cock and Magpie, Tong Lane, Whitworth; Commercial Hotel, Manchester Road, Haslingden; Crown, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall; Halfway House, Market Street, Whitworth; Madison Park Wine Bar, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall; Queens Arms, Bank Street, Rawtenstall; Rostron Arms, Market Place, Edenfield; Royal Hotel, Bacup Road, Waterfoot; Woolpack, Manchester Road, Haslingden; Stag Sports Bar, Dark Lane, Newchurch.