IT'S set to be one of the most eagerly anticipated weekends in decades, with homes and streets across the country awash with patriotic colour of the royal and sporting kind.

As the Queen marks her 50 years on the throne in unprecedented style and England's World Cup hopefuls kick off in the Far East, the demand for souvenirs bearing the famous Union Jack is higher than ever.

And nowhere more so than at Flying Colours, in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, where the double whammy of the Golden Jubilee and the world's greatest sporting tournament has stretched operations to the limit.

Fifty kilometres of bunting to furnish the most elaborate of street parties, 25,000 Union Jack "hand-waver" flags and almost a thousand flags for football supporters' clubs throughout the land have already rolled off the production line.

"I have never known anything like it, it is just unbelievable. It's the busiest we have ever been and we just can't take any more orders this week," said Andy Ormrod, a partner in the business.

Jubilee flags and bunting have been in phenomenal demand, with orders pouring in from councils, businesses and a wealth of community groups from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands.

Among the scores of customers was Darlington Borough Council, who turned to Flying Colours to decorate the town red, white and blue when the Queen visited - the amazing welcome even winning special praise from Buckingham Palace.

If the monarch's 50-year celebrations were not enough, Flying Colours has also been charged with ensuring England fans are a flamboyant, colourful presence in Japan and South Korea.

Fans from Middlesbrough, Leeds United, down to Chesterfield and all the London clubs have wanted their badges and individual messages emblazoned on Union Jack flags, ranging from the giant 24ft by 12ft, to the lesser 6ft by 3ft.

Official merchandise for the football world's governing body, Fifa, has even been despatched.

"It is impossible to quantify how busy we have been and unfortunately we are just not used to it," said Mr Ormrod.

"We have taken on extra staff and everybody who has placed orders will have them this week, but we have to be so careful how much more we can take on now."

It is a staggering reversal of fortune for a firm which hit rock bottom last year, as the foot-and-mouth crisis meant its services were not needed at any agricultural shows or to promote hotels.

"It would have been a good year just to get that business back and pick up after last year. We knew all this was coming, but even so it's just been unbelievable," said Mr Ormrod.

"And if England end up going a long way in the World Cup there's going to be even more on our plate."