WORLD Cup fever is spreading across the country and a Blackburn company is playing its part.

Marketing firm MDA, based in Queen Street, Mill Hill, has been preparing for the tournament for more than a year by sending out items from flags, banners, T-shirts and inflatables.

So far the firm, which employs more than 160 people, has supplied around 26,000 pubs with World Cup party kits and merchandise that is almost a quarter of all pubs in the country.

Dale Stokes, MDA commercial director, said: "Even though we've been planning with our customers for the World Cup for more than a year, the final run-up has still been frantic.

"Our team here has been fantastic they've put in long hours and set the phones alight to get everything ready in time.

We're all looking forward to watching the first match knowing that MDA's efforts will have added a little to the nation's enjoyment of this great sporting occasion."

MDA counts among its clients Coca Cola, Stella Artois and Cadbury.

The firm recently handled the launch of the new Cadbury's Creme Egg chocolate bar.

Ian Stead, from the company added: "From a personal point of view I hope England go the distance in the World Cup and on behalf of our partners in the licensed trade I hope we do well as well.

"The promotional items that we provide help to create a great atmosphere and really add to the occasion of the tournament." Among the more popular products supplied by MDA are player masks, horns, footballs and flags.

MDA is a specialist point of sale and promotional marketing company. It has doubled its turnover in the past two years and was recently recognised as North West Business of the Year in the British Chamber of Commerce's national award scheme.

By the time the World Cup kicks off on Friday MDA estimates it will have packed and organised 40,000 deliveries, kitted out around 20,000 pub staff in specially designed and personalised shirts and delivered more than 170,000 promotional footballs.