SOCCER'S match of the millennium has sparked football fever in East Lancashire - with friends, families and neighbours divided over the clash of the Auld Enemies.

Pubs, clubs and front rooms across the area will be packed at 2pm tomorrow when England and Scotland kick-off the first leg of their European Championship qualifier at Hampden Park.

And breweries and off-licences are set to enjoy bumper sales as the two sets of fans celebrate victory or drown their sorrows.

Scot Alex Kilpatrick of the Mill Gap Hotel in Darwen isn't letting his patriotism get in the way and is welcoming fans dressed in the colours of both sides into his pub for the big match.

Stocks of England shirts and posters are selling like hot cakes in local sports shops.

Lisa Miller, assistant manger of Gibsons Sports on New Market Street, Blackburn, said: "There has definitely been an increase in sales in the run-up to this big game."

Peter Hodgkinson, licensee of the Dog and Partridge Sports Bar, Wellgate, Clitheroe, said he was expecting over 200 people to watch the match on eight television sets and a large screen.

As an added bonus a free raffle would be held for England soccer shirts on Saturday afternoon and Wednesday night.

"There has been a lot of interest in the match and we are expecting a huge crowd and a great event," he said.

Mick Way, licensee of The Swan, Abbey Street, Accrington, said: "We have quite a few England fans and quite a few Scots as well. There's always a good friendly rivalry between them. "It should be packed because we've got the big screen plus five TVs."

Patriotic butcher Mike Tighe from Whittaker's on Blackburn's three-day market is doing his bit to cheer on Kevin Keegan's team by decking his stall out in red and white - prompting the market's Scottish contingent to reply with blue, white and tartan banners.

And amateur sportsmen everywhere are bringing their weekly Saturday matches forward by a few hours ready for the Battle of Britain clash.

Jim Haworth from the Blackburn Combination football league said: "As long as both teams are in agreement and there is a referee available, then we are allowing games to kick off early so they can finish in time to watch the big game."

The Lancashire Amateur League has also given clubs the option of an early kick-off while the Burnley and District League has postponed its programme for the day.

Coun Frank Connor, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee is a Scot, even though he is now an enthusiastic Blackburn Rovers fan. He said: "I will obviously be wanting to see a Scottish win but I'm not really expecting one."

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