Drunken World Cup violence erupted on the streets of York in a depressing reflection of the chaos that marred England's opening Group G game in Marseilles.

The city's police cells were filled to overflowing after 45 arrests were made in the aftermath of England's 2-0 victory over Tunisia.

James Tillotson, assistant manager of Yates's Wine Lodge in Church Lane, York, said staff were forced to close up for an hour after 20 men ran riot.

He said: "They were overturning tables and shouting. We left them to it for the safety of the staff, called the police and closed up for an hour.

"It's ridiculous, we weren't even showing the football."

At The Lowther in Cumberland Street, landlord Derek Binns called the police after a drunken gang began chanting and throwing bottles.

"We expected a bit of joviality but this was completely out of order. I don't believe they were football fans at all."

Again the police were called and arrests were made.

Mr Binns added that the hooligans were caught on CCTV, footage from which has been passed to police.

Further fighting was reported in Tower Street, Barbican Street, Tanner Row and Goodramgate.

At one point police had arrested so many offenders they had to be dispatched to Selby because York's cells were filled to capacity.

As the arrests mounted and Selby's cells were filled, many had to be taken to Malton.

Supt Jim Kilmartin, of York Police, said the arrests were virtually all related to daytime drinking as the England match lured fans into pubs around the city. Most of the arrests were made between 6.30pm and 11.30pm.

He said: "There has been an outburst of trouble directly attributable to people drinking most of the afternoon.

"At one stage our cells were full and we diverted prisoners first to Selby and then to Malton.

"It looks like we arrested more than the French did."

Most of the arrests were made to prevent breach of the peace, criminal damage and assault. Two were for drink-driving.

Two thieves had the whistle blown on them by fast food chain McDonalds after they stole a 5ft 8in cut-out of Alan Shearer from its Blake Street restaurant.

Chief Inspector Gary Barnett of York police confirmed extra officers would be brought in for England's next match against Romania at 8pm on Monday.

In France, Interior Minister Jean-Pierre Chevenement today signed an order to expel five English fans and a Tunisian.

A busload of up to 60 known football hooligans from throughout Scotland has been stopped by French police at the France-Spain border, it was confirmed today. They are being held in Bordeaux.

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