SCOTSMAN Douglas Reid is preparing for a long summer, after his football-mad wife transformed their home into a shrine to England.

Fanatical England supporter Julie Reid has painted a cross of St George on the front of the house in Pelaw Place, South Pelaw, near Chester-le-Street.

Mrs Reid, 31, a school kitchen assistant, has also filled the inside of their home with red and white bunting, flags and posters. The move has delighted her sons, Douglas, 12, and Tommy, ten. But her husband, from Ayrshire, is less pleased.

He said: "I am the only Scotland supporter in the house. My sons support England, even the dog supports England. They all just take the mickey out of me."

Mrs Reid is a lifelong Newcastle United supporter. Mr Reid, 34, a spray painter at the Nissan car plant in Sunderland, said: "She was going to paint the house for the last World Cup, but it never happened, so she was determined to do it for the European championships.

"The front of the house was already painted white, so all she had to do was put the red cross on it. She got some masonry paint and took a spirit level to make sure it was all straight. I was very impressed."