YOU could hear the noise before you caught sight of the pub. Chants of In-ger-land, In-ger-land competing with chorus after chorus of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. It was 8.40am on Saturday and the World Cup final hadn't even kicked off yet.

New-found rugby fans joined seasoned afficionados of the oval ball game at scores of premises that had taken out early licences to cash in on the mounting World Cup fever.

England's clash with old foe Australia was manna from heaven for Regent Inns, owners of the 46-strong Walkabout bar chain.

Branches of the Aussie theme bar in Middlesbrough and Durham were popular settings to take in the drama.

Assistant manager Charles Joubert, a fence-sitting South African, arrived to begin preparations at the Durham Walkabout at 4.30am, after little sleep following a busy Friday night.

By 7.30am, he was briefing his 12-strong staff, including ten exiled Aussies, in advance of the rush once the doors opened at 8.30am.

The 700-capacity premises in the university city filled within minutes - a noisy mix of students and locals.

Bemused early morning shoppers passing the North Road bar were serenaded with choruses of the England rugby anthem Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as the 9.05am kick-off grew ever closer.

A whole-hearted rendition of God Save Our Queen was followed by good-natured booing of Advance Australia Fair, barely noticed by the busy Aussie bar staff.

Drinkers took in the drama from Sydney's Telstra Stadium on a giant screen and 14 televisions sets dotted around the premises, while even those paying a visit missed not a moment of action thanks to conveniently-placed loo monitors.

The raucous delight at the first half performance, culminating with Jason Robinson's slide-in try, was followed by mounting tension after the break, as Australia whittled away at England's lead.

And Aussie kicker Elton Flatley failed to be put off by the boos of drinkers 10,000 miles away in Durham, kicking the hosts level to take the game into extra-time.

Glasses were re-charged and more nail-biting followed as England again edged ahead, thanks to "our Jonny" - and Australia once more drew level to groans in Durham.

Drinkers were starting to ponder what would follow if the scores remained level after the 20 minutes of extra time, when Wilkinson stepped forward to permanently etch his name in English sporting history.

His last minute match-winning drop goal and the final whistle 35 seconds later were greeted with pandemonium, as euphoric drinkers hugged whoever happened to be standing alongside.

Champagne quickly flowed, more spilt than drunk, and even a lone Aussie drinker, Seaham warehouse manager Marlon Baars, joined in the party, conceding England just about deserved their victory.

His landlord, Peter Punshon, was hoarse, but proud, proclaiming that he had witnessed history - by common consent England's finest sporting triumph since 1966.

Jubilant fans gradually filtered out on to the city streets spreading news of the joyous victory to the uninitiated.

A celebratory conga was last seen winding its way up North Road, as a nationwide knees-up went on long into the night.