WHO has pinched the local?

A Hampshire pub has upped its World Cup celebrations to a new level.

The Willow Tree is flying a giant floor-to-ceiling St George’s flag over its entrance.

James Yeoman, landlord, said: “Everybody has the bunting and the little flags, we just wanted to be bigger and better.

“We’ve had a lot of reaction from it, you see people’s faces as they come over the bridge and a lot of people have had their photo taken with it.”

The larger-than-life flag, which cost £350, took two firemen from the fire station next door, an hour to put up.

Mr Yeoman got a tailor to measure the 5x7m design and sent it to a flag designer.

There is a slit in the middle so people can still use the door of the watering hole in Durngate Terrace, Winchester. “The regulars love it, they think it’s like Stars in their Eyes when they walk through.

“Fingers crossed we’ll be busy during the World Cup, hopefully the flag will help,” he added. Regular Peter Broom of Wales Street, a retired plaster technician, said: “I’ve never seen a flag like it, it’s quite effective.”

The flag will stay up until England are out of the World Cup.

Have you got World Cup fever? How are you showing support for your team? Let us know. Contact the newsdesk on 023 80424522 or email newsdesk@dailyecho.co.uk.