AS England prepare for a crunch match against Uruguay tonight in the fight to stay in the World Cup, people of East Lancashire have found innovative ways to show their support.

Having lost their tournament opener against Italy on Saturday, Roy Hodgson’s men desperately need a win to keep alive their hopes of reaching the last 16.

But after Costa Rica stunned tonight’s opponents in the other Group D opening game with a 3-1 win, they too need the three points.

In Pleasington, Bruce Bendell has transformed his usually all-white house into a giant cross of St George.

Mr Bendell, a teacher at QEGs, who lives with wife Kay and sons Ted, 14, and Alex, 10, said it had become a tradition for his family whenever England were playing in a tournament.

He said: “We have done it three times now, without any luck.

“We keep it up until England get knocked out, so we hope to have it up until July this time.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Blackburn Rovers fan Mr Bendell said the cross, made from fabric bought at Blackburn Market, had attracted a lot of interest.

He said: “Most people really like it and we have seen people taking pictures and stuff.

“I think a couple of people think ‘why would you do that to your house?’ but most people are impressed.”

And bakers across the region have been getting in on the act, with tasty World Cup-themed treats being produced.

Cordeys Bakers in Rawtenstall has produced special Bakewell tarts featuring an England flag on the top.

Customers at the Bank Street firm have been tucking into the delicacies, which have white icing with a red cross on the top.

And Baxenden’s Holland’s Pies has chosen to sell its pies at selected retailers and chip shops for 66p, marking the year when England won the World Cup with a 4-2 win over West Germany.

Spokesman David Girdler said: “By offering Holland’s Pies at just 66p, we wanted to remind our football-loving pie fans of England’s glory days.

“Many will be watching the matches here in the UK, so we wanted to give our fans a patriotic reminder with pies.”

Chilled Holland’s Pies will be available in selected stores for 66p until Sunday, and Big Eat Potato and Meat football pies will be in certain chippies until Tuesday.

Meanwhile at St James The Less Primary School in Rawtenstall, youngsters wore their football kits during a World Cup-themed non-uniform day.

They were raising money for a trip to Kenya by former pupil Georgina Mawdsley