INTERNATIONAL opera star Suzannah Clarke is to sing the national anthem before the England versus Albania match, after receiving an emergency call from the Football Association (FA).

Suzannah, who hails from Normanby, near Middlesbrough, has performed all over the world.

She hit the national headlines when she was chosen to sing before a worldwide audience of 240 million at the opening ceremony of Euro 96, at Wembley.

With euphoria sweeping the country after England's thrashing of arch-rivals Germany, she has now had to cancel everything to return to the North-East, from London, for tomorrow's big match.

"I was in my curlers and having my Weetabix when the call came through," said Suzannah yesterday.

"It's a great honour, because it's in the North-East and it has become such a momentous occasion following the Germany game. I'm going to be enormously proud, because I'm passionate about my country and the region."

The FA also asked if she would consider singing the Albanian national anthem, but she is struggling to find anyone who knows the words, or has the music.

There is one other problem facing Suzannah - she is a fervent Middlesbrough supporter and the game is being played at St James' Park a few days before Boro play Newcastle.

"Hopefully, no one will hold it against me and everyone will concentrate on rooting for England," she said. "But it'll be a great week if England thrash Albania and the Boro beat the Magpies."