EAST LANCASHIRE is gripped by World Cup fever as the long-awaited tournament finally gets underway.

Fabio Capello's England team take on the USA in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa, at 7.30pm tomorrow.

And while the likes of Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard aim to fire England to the top of Group C, fans across East Lancashire will feel they are kicking every ball with them back home.

East Lancs has become a sea of St. George's flags, with countless houses, pubs, businesses and cars proudly displaying the colours.

Pubs have brought in big screens and a range of special offers, while many fans will be sitting at home watching the tournament unfold on brand new televisions.

Firms are guarding against possible absenteeism, given that many matches taking place in the afternoons.

Two of East Lancashire's biggest companies have announced plans to beam World Cup games into their offices to reduce the temptation to pull a sickie.

Capita Symonds and Daisy, which together employ around 1,200, have acted after warnings that many staff plan to dodge work in a bid to catch England's attempt to win a first World Cup in 44 years.

It's expected to be a bumper weekend for pubs, off-licences and supermarkets, with around 11.5 million fans descending on pubs across the country to guzzle an extra nine million pints of beer and £35 million worth of food on Saturday.

Supporters at Blakeys Cafe Bar at King George's Hall and the Havelock Inn in Havelock Street, Blackburn, will be watching the game on specially-erected giant screens.

The Grand in Clitheroe is holding a football feast for England's first two games.

Fans can book a table and eat world cuisine-themed food, while watching the games on a HD cinema-sized screen installed for the tournament.

The Bay Horse in Worsthorne will be bouncing come kick-off, with manager Richard Sharp and colleagues decking the pub out in red and white for the tournament.

The Woodlands Hotel in Preston New Road, Blackburn, is giving away free hog roast butties during every England game in a World Cup outdoor marquee.

Lancashire brewer Daniel Thwaites and Carlsberg UK have united to create a second ‘Turf More’ at The Hare and Hounds Pub in Clayton-le-Moors.

The Blackburn Road pub has undergone a 'football makeover' and now features a specially-designed Astroturf interior.

Stephen Parkinson, licensee, said: “We cannot wait to unveil the newly refurbished 'Turf More' to our customers.

“We hope that the atmosphere of the pub will inspire everyone to support Capello’s team and get involved in the entire World Cup.”

'All leave has been cancelled’ for frontline police officers during England’s three group games.

Extra patrols have already been arranged for East Lancashire’s town centres during the USA and Algeria World Cup fixtures, which take place on a Saturday and Friday night.

Hooligan spotters will also be out to keep an eye on any known troublemakers.

Sergeant James Black said: “It’s because we have identified it as a potential issue and need to put the resources in place.

"So all rest days are cancelled for those games.”

Blackburn's Victorian town hall is using its night time lights to display the St George cross to cheer England on.

It will be followed by a changing light show using colours from other team's flags.

Coun Mike Lee, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We’re backing England all the way but also displaying all the other teams carrying the hopes of their fans and nations.”

Two shows run from 8pm to 11pm and 11pm to 1am until the tournament ends.

Sponge footballs are being given to children in Blackburn by police in a bid to reduce nuisance and damage.

Around 50 balls provided by DJ Pratt's sports shop in New Chapel Street and funded by Blackburn with Darwen's Community Safety Team will be offered in exchange for hard leather or plastic balls.

They are also available by calling Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

Sponge balls are heavier than a fly-away ball but if it hits a window or a car, the ball will absorb the impact.

CSO Lee Pendlebury said: “We tend to see an increase of complaints about street football in the summer months and with the World Cup imminent we thought it was an ideal opportunity to offer free sponge balls to children.”

St George's flags and bunting is already flying in streets across the region, with Garden Street in Padiham awash with England's colours thanks to the efforts of resident Darren Chadwick, his family and friends.

The Uttley family in Barnfield Avenue, Worsthorne have even painted the St George's cross on their garage door – much to the delight of their pet dog Beckham.

Children donned the shirts of the their favourite teams in a World Cup party at Burnley Library.

Ashley Lyons, 19, of Sycamore Avenue, Burnley, is wearing his allegiance on his calf, with a large Three ‘Lyons’ tattoo created by Eddie Binder of Addictive Ink in Padiham Road.

The engineering apprentice said: “I wanted something with my last name on because of my family.

"My girlfriend got her's done and I had mine done two days after!”

And Chris Eccles of Bowker BMW Blackburn at Trident Park has gone one step further, creating an England edition BMW emblazoned with the message ‘Come on England!’.

Staff at Spex Opticians in Clitheroe, Burnley, Rawtenstall and Accrington will be giving England the eye by wearing contact lenses which have the St George's cross printed on them, as well as wearing team colours at work to show their support for the boys.

England and Holland representative sides played out a mock final at Pendle Forest Sports Club to help raise money for the fight against malaria.

Meanwhile the team at GT & L Heys Butchers, in Lyndhurst Road, Burnley, are hoping fans will feast on their football-themed sausages.

Capello's Corkers, a Mediterranean style tomato and basil flavoured banger, and Fabio's Flamers, which are full of chillies, are the brainchild of Danny Heys and Neil Whittaker.

Danny, 30, said: “Fabio's Flamers are really fiery – a bit like the man himself on the touchline!”