FOOTBALL fans in East Lancashire will be able to enjoy a beer with their breakfast in 17 pubs as World Cup fever begins to take hold.

But police have warned they will patrol the pubs making sure they don't score an own goal and breach the conditions.

Police said 17 pubs throughout Blackburn, Darwen and Clitheroe have been granted special licences to open up early so fans can cheer on Beckham and Co.

The competition in Japan and Korea includes 21 early games between the first match between champions France and Senegal on Friday May 31, ending with the final on Sunday, June 30.

Scores of pubs have applied to magistrates for permission to open up and must adhere to strict rules.

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

And Steve Finley, licensing officer with Blackburn Police, taking in Darwen and Clitheroe, said teams of officers will be checking. Those that ignore the rules will be shown the red card.

He said: "There are 17 pubs that have taken advantage of the ruling allowing them to open, and there are many more being dealt with. All pubs must serve food and have a big screen -- a television at the end of the bar is not sufficient -- and pubs will be checked by officers to make sure the regulations are being adhered to."

Employees who cannot make it to the pub and are bound for the workplace instead, still might not lose out with a series of companies laying on special provision so workers can still enjoy the World Cup.

Chorley Borough Council will provide a TV in the Town Hall for workers to watch the matches although employees will have to make the time up later. The news comes as experts warn employers to let workers watch the World Cup matches to prevent 'sickies'.

The council's approach is mirrored by Lancashire County Council where its flexi-time scheme will allow workers to watch the matches.

But footy fans who work for Blackburn with Darwen must take days off if they want to cheer on the boys.

Executive director for community and personal, Harry Catherall said: "Staff would be expected to use their annual leave for purposes such as watching the World Cup, but the council takes a flexible approach to staff taking leave and as long as the delivery of council services is afforded the highest priority."

Lancashire Police also said employees will be working as usual. Other major firms are still undecided.

The pubs that have so far been granted a licence are: Blues Bar, at Blackburn Rovers, Riley's Pool and Snooker, in Mincing Lane, The Old Toll Bar, Accrington Road, The Aqueduct, Bolton Road, FJ Nichols, Northgate, The Bull's Head, Whalley New Road, O'Neills, Kings St, Station Hotel, Preston Old Road, The Stop and Rest, Randy House Brow, Kings Inn, Kingsbridge Street -- all Blackburn.

The Victorian, in Darwen, The Dog Music and Sports Bar, Wellgate, Clitheroe, Marley's Wine Bar, Belgrave Road, Darwen, The Swan, Bolton Road, Darwen, The White Horse, Bury Road, Edgworth, The Hare and Hounds, Lammack and the White Lion, in Darwen.