Happy fans are streets ahead

The bunting is up and the flags of St George have been hoisted - now families in a West Midland street are praying for an England win.

Patriotic residents in Thorne Road, Willenhall, have chipped in together to buy bunting to adorn the lamp posts and flags for their homes.

And if Fabio Capello's boys go all the way, families are preparing to hold a street party.

Shaun Gavin, aged 40, said he was happy to have inspired the enthusiastic decoration. "I was just putting the bunting outside my house and a neighbour came out to ask where I got it from," said the demolition worker.

"We all ended up sticking a fiver in each to buy a load and we've been getting the ladders out to stick it up on the lamp posts."

He said he and neighbours would be dancing in the street if England won the World Cup, but was hoping for a victory in the national side's crunch game tonight against Algeria.

"Every time England score a goal, we're all out the front blowing the horns," he said.

"About 10 families in the street put in to buy the bunting and it looks great. I'm sure there will be a lot more going up if England win against Algeria. If we win the World Cup we want to get the street sealed off and have a big party.

"Hopefully that will happen, but having watched all the other games, you just don't know what's going to happen."

They are the latest example of fans in the region who are caught up in the frenzy of the tournament.

Celebrations have reached fever pitch in the West Midlands, with some supporters going as far as painting the flag of St George onto their houses and cars.