CITY bosses are aiming to create a carnival atmosphere in Sunderland today, as thousands flock to the North-East for England's crunch game against Turkey.

Sunderland City Council has decked the city centre in red and white - the national colours of both teams - and even planted patriotic flower beds next to the venue, the Stadium of Light.

Chris Alexander, the authority's head of culture and tourism, said: "This is probably the biggest football match that will be played in the region this year. It is a tremendous honour that Sunderland has been chosen to host it.

"With thousands of fans arriving in the city from all over the world, we wanted to give them a real Sunderland welcome and create a party atmosphere prior to kick-off."

ATTRACTIONS

* The Pendle Giant Street Walkers will parade through the city centre, 2pm-8pm, dressed as a ringmaster, clown, rag doll and a teddy bear. They will walk over with fans to the Stadium of Light in time for kick-off.

* From 2pm-4pm, the Broadway Melody Jazz Band will be playing Dixieland jazz in High Street West.

* The Cashel Ceilidh Band plays in the Market Place, 2pm-4pm.

* Face painters will be outside the Stadium of Light, 5pm-8pm.

* The Mill Garage site, next to the stadium, will host the Metro Radio Roadshow from 6pm, featuring music, a football quiz and prizes.

* Nationwide, sponsors of the national team, will be running its Hotshots penalty shoot-out on the same site. The contest measures the strength of a player's shot, with the best winning football- related prizes