TRADERS are cashing in on England's fight for the Euro 2004 trophy with bumper sales of the Cross of St George flags.

Hundreds of cars are sporting the clip-on flags and sellers say they are struggling to keep up with the demand.

One stall owner on Preston market has sold about 500 flags, and is hoping to sell more in the final countdown to the competition, kicking off at 5pm on Saturday when hosts Portugal take on Greece.

Anne Masheter, who has run a stall at Preston covered market for 34 years, said: "The car flags have been selling like hot cakes, demand is so high our suppliers have run out of stock.

Even Preston Council will be joining in the football frenzy by flying the flag above the town hall to support the England team in their quest for the country's first ever European Championship trophy.

Council chiefs in South Ribble have currently no plans to do the same.

But it is not just flags that are bumping up sales. Shops are selling a range of England sports kits, tea towels, blow-up chairs and hats. MK Tools, St John's Centre, Preston, is even selling an England toilet seat.

And at The Bakery Station, Lancaster Road, Preston, customers have been clamouring for the shop's special line of England cakes.

But with fans getting ready to watch many of the matches on big screens in pubs, police have pledged to crack down on binge drinkers and hooligans, focusing on pub and club goers.

It comes as pubs like The Assembly, Lune Street, Preston, prepare for packed houses during the tournament, with 15 extra 'giraffe' beer dispensers, each with a capacity to hold six pints of lager.

But manager Stewart Culley, 33, said: "We have door staff and don't let people in who have had too much. The giraffes are designed for a few lads to share so they don't have to keep running to the bar for drinks, not for binge drinking."

England's first match is against France on June 13, at 7.45pm