FOOTBALL fever gripped the region ahead of last night's England-France showdown.

Although England supporters outnumbered their French counterparts ten to one on the streets of Lisbon, fans back home were determined not to miss out.

One fan has gone all out to prove his allegiance to England by decking his house in the national colours and St George's Cross.

When residents at Tudhoe Moor Estate, in Spennymoor, County Durham, began flying flags in support of the England football squad, Michael Holmes grew competitive.

In a bid to outdo his neighbours, he spent two days hanging flags from the windows and covering his walls with posters.

But the final piece to his England obsession is his garden, where he has painstakingly painted the St George's Cross on his lawn.

The 22-year-old said: "It took about two days to do and I even thought about painting the roof, but didn't think I'd get away with it."

The Newcastle fan is hopeful that his three sons, Kai, five, Shay, two - named after United and Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given - and Kane, eight weeks, will follow their parents' footsteps and be mad for football.

Staff at a garden centre have cut a hedge into the shape of a footballer and dressed it in an England top.

St George's flags and bunting now adorn Dobbies Garden World, in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street.

Employees are going to work in their football strips and have baked cakes topped with red and white icing for customers in return for a charitable donation.

Bookmakers Reuben Page, which has 33 outlets in the region, expects turnover to double as punters rush to lay bets on the tournament

Austin Carney, of the Consett, County Durham-based company, said: "We have already taken a few four-figure sums on certain teams."

The firm expects conservatively to take £3m on football bets alone, but could see turnover top £5m, if England make it to the last stages of the competition.

For those who believe in history repeating itself, Reuben Page is offering 9/2 on England being dumped out of the contest on penalties.

Firebrand striker Wayne Rooney is at 7/1 to see red and be sent off during the finals.

For true patriots, the bookies is offering a double of England to win Euro 2004 and Tim Henman to win Wimbledon this year, at 50/1.

Opticians have given their support to the England team by launching a special competition.

People attending Specsavers in Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar or Guisborough, in east Cleveland, will be entered into a competition to win contact lenses emblazoned with the St George's Cross.

Staff launched the competition on Saturday by donning England strips.