RUGBY fan Tony Fillingham hates football. So he booked a family holiday to escape World Cup fever - only to discover he is following the fans to France '98!

Tony failed to realise the tournament was being hosted across the Channel when he chose a two-week camping holiday in Brittany.

He is now facing the prospect of sharing a ferry with supporters and being bombarded with football talk during his trip.

Five games are being played at the La Beaujorie Stadium, Nantes, Brittany, and more than 39,000 fans are expected to flock to each match.

"I was genuinely shocked when I found out I would be in France at the height of the World Cup," said Tony, from Darwen,who is travelling with his wife, May, son Richard, 12, and daughter Katie, 13. "It's laughable really because I can't stand the game," said Tony, who sells carpets from Hubie Street Warehouse, Burnley, and also runs carpet cleaning firm Fresh Clean. He added: "I was brought up following rugby. The only member of our family who is interested is Katie."

Despite the oversight, Tony, 57, is still determined not to see a single match.

He said: "I certainly won't be wearing a pair of Union Jack shorts or going anywhere near a football stadium, that's for sure."

Have you a World Cup story?

TONY Fillingham tried in vain to escape the World Cup, but some people can't get enough of it.

And we want to hear about any World Cup crazy stories, especially if it's about someone going to great lengths to be there for France 98.

Please contact newsdesk on 01254 678678, or e-mail us on let_editorial@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk

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