WORLD Cup cheer has spread to Hyndburn with the decision to grant early morning licences for 15 pubs.

And another 10 licensees could also be opening up early if granted a licence by magistrates on Friday. To qualify pubs must adhere to strict rules that include having a big screen TV as well as providing food.

Police today said that some of the 15 pubs in Accrington, Oswaldtwistle, Rishton and Great Harwood had applied for permission to open up on just one date while others had opted for all nine available dates.

PC Les Sholicar, licensing officer for Accrington police, said: "The pubs that have been granted extended hours have not caused any major problems in the past and I am hopeful that bearing in mind the time of these matches there won't be any large scale disorder.

"Obviously drinking and driving is a hazard that will have to be addressed but we would ask that people be sensible because of the risks."

Pubs granted licences are: Black Horse, Abbey Street, Swan, Abbey Street, Miners Arms, Blackburn Road, The Oak Tree, Blackburn Road, The Hargreaves, Manchester Road, Boars Head, Burnley Road, Sydney Street Working Men's Club, Bees Knees, Holme Street -- all Accrington.

Foxhill, Union Road, Royal Oak, Union Road, The Plough, Fielding Lane, New Inn, Thomas Street -- all Oswaldtwistle. Cross Axes, Church Street, Great Harwood, Rishton Conservative Club, and the Cabin End, Windsor Road, Knuzden.