THE party began long before the final whistle. For England fans, delirious at watching their team 3-0 up against Denmark before half time, it was a rare chance to relax during a World Cup match.

It may have been Saturday afternoon, but it seemed more like a Lanzarote beach front as scores of supporters spilled out of the pubs on to the streets. Were they drunk on alcohol or simply inebriated with joy? It was hard to tell.

Everyone joined in the celebrations.

In Darlington market square, about 30 fans produced a football from somewhere for a post-match kickabout.

No one seemed to care that an open air market was on - not even the police who acted as unofficial stewards to let traffic past.

Earlier, hundreds of supporters had piled into the town's pubs to watch England take on the Danes in the second round, and the celebrations continued well into the night.

Every pub showing the game was crammed with fans, many wearing England shirts and some with the cross of St George painted on their faces.

Pubs put up big screens especially for the match.

At Durham's Gala Theatre, canaps were replaced by bacon butties (not Danish mind you) and champagne flutes were swapped for pint glasses, as cheers and chants drowned out any dignified applause there might have been.

The impact of the towering image on a giant screen, combined with an electrifying atmosphere and bravura performance by the English protagonists ensured a memorable experience.

Hundreds of people who packed the theatre erupted in delight at the first goal - setting the tone the rest of the match.

Mark Nellis, one of their number, said: "This is fantastic. The atmosphere is great. There is a good mix of people."

Joanne Carter said: "Today the theatre is ours. It belongs to the people of Durham."

Town centre worker Samantha Smith, who slipped in to the theatre briefly during her lunch hour, said: "Watching it on the big screen is just like being there."

Gary Chamberlain said: "It's a great place for families to bring their children to watch the game knowing they are not going to be crushed in the celebrations or involved in a fight if the team loses."

The audience's verdict on the result was a standing ovation.

Even across the Channel in Germany, there were fans cheering the England goals.

The 4th Regiment, Royal Artillery, recruits its men from the North-East but has been based in Osnabruck for 20 years.

An inter-battery competition arranged to entertain a reunion of veterans from the Falklands conflict was put back to allow everyone to watch the match.

A big screen was set up in the gym which reverberated to massive cheers as the ball hit the back of the net.

Earlier, Osnabruck was also silent for much of Germany's game against Paraguay - until the final minutes when a goal saved the team from the tension of extra time.

* For early risers, the curtain will go up at the Gala Theatre, at 7.30am on Friday for a repeat performance - and, many hope, with a similar outcome against Brazil or Belgium