AN ARMY of more than 700 England fans took over the Australian pub, The Walkabout, to watch the action on a giant 25ft by 20ft screen.

Some had even started queuing an hour before kick-off to secure a table. Many were biting their nails at half time as the resident DJ belted out football anthems.

And just like the lyrics to Baddiel and Skinner's Euro 96 classic, Three Lions, most had seen it all before and were not betting on victory just yet. Kate Cole, 24, from Barnum Court in Rodbourne, was getting wound up by the apparent ease at which Swiss players were going down.

She said: "They are feigning injury a lot I hope that doesn't go against us. It's taken us a while to get going and I don't think we played particularly well during the first 20 minutes. It seems to be picking up now."

Meanwhile James Newbury, 23, from Warneford in Toothill, focused his energy on a dream final between England and France. He said: "It has been a bit of an iffy start but we are turning things around now. Fingers crossed if we beat Switzerland tonight we may play France in the final."

Kate Dawson, 20, from Baskerville Road in Covingham, agreed. "Meeting France would be brilliant and everyone would be fired up for it after Sunday."

Kate was especially pleased to see her favourite star on the score sheet. "When I was younger, I moved to Swindon from Liverpool do I was glad to see Rooney score."