THE stunning surroundings of Stonyhurst College can seem a million miles from the majority of East Lancashire, especially the industrial heartlands of Blackburn and Burnley, where football is the sporting religion.

Despite the difference in settings, council chiefs believe England's progress - whether they win or lose - can play a positive role in getting people of all ages active and healthy.

Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture at Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "Rugby Union is not a sport which is traditionally played by the borough's children for recreation or in local schools, although an increasing number do offer the option.

"But, international sporting success of the kind currently being experienced with the England rugby team helps to generate a sense of pride and a feel-good factor', even in football towns such as Blackburn and Darwen.

"The council and its partn-ers recognise the importance of being physically active and participating in sport in order to improve health and well-being through the Living Better, Living Longer campaign and when national teams do well it certainly helps to focus on the positive impact sport can offer."

And it is a similar situation for youngsters in Burnley where the council hopes to reap the positive dividends of England's involvement in the final.

Ebrahim Khan, sports development manager for Burnley Council, said: "Burnley Council has been doing a lot of work with the rugby club to encourage young people to get involved in the sport and this has been a great success.

"The success of England's rugby team has definitely had a positive impact on the amount of rugby played in Burnley, and I can only see this increasing if we keep hold of the cup on Saturday."

Ribble Valley Council is one of only three councils in the North West to jointly employ a community rugby coach to promote the game in the borough in conjunction with the Rugby Football Union.

Mark Sutcliffe works with Clitheroe Rugby Club to get more youngsters interested in the game and also with the RFU's Go Play Rugby scheme that aims to get one time players involved with the sport again.

He said: "England getting so far can only have a positive affect on the sport and those taking part as no one thought they'd get past the quarter finals.

"Four years ago the amount coming down and getting involved was amazing.

"Anything that get's kids involved in sport and gets them active is a good thing."