YOUNG football fans returned to their desks today after watching England's nail-biting World Cup clash against Nigeria over a special school breakfast.

Schools across the area opened their doors early to allow pupils to catch the team's victory in the crucial third match of the group games which saw England go through to the next stage.

Some cooked up early breakfasts in canteens or put TVs in classrooms and some hoisted large screens in their halls for kids to cheer on Beckham and co.

At Ivy Bank High School in Byron Street, Burnley, 150 children had set their alarm clocks extra early to cheer on their team. They decked the school in flags and wore England shirts .

Teacher Craig Parkinson said: "It was a bit tense but they all enjoyed it. It is back to lessons and back to normal after the full-time whistle."

At Walshaw High, children watched the match in their form rooms.

Some had made the extra effort to get up and watch the whole match at school while others were allowed to arrive late after watching the match at home.

Assistant headteacher Dave Perry said: "The children have been very nervous but it is all worthwhile now England have gone through.

"They have enjoyed it so much we will look to take a similar approach in the future if England are playing early in the morning."

At Alder Grange High, Rawtenstall, several hundred pupils turned up early to watch the match on two large screens.

And at Primrose Hill School, which is attended by children with physical difficulties, the 45 pupils were gathered round the TV.

Headteacher Gerry McCabe said: "It has been a big project here and there has been a great amount of interest from both staff and children."

Burnley Council workers were allowed to use flexi-time to roar England on.