PATRIOTIC pubs are whipping up World Cup fever.

There is just under a month to go to the opening ceremony of the top football tournament in Germany and two York pubs are pulling out all the stops to flag it up.

The Ainsty, in Boroughbridge Road, has the red and white St George's flag plastered across its faade, with windows painted with the England national flag and an inflatable footballer on the roof.

Gwen Bristow, the pub's assistant manager, said: "It's always a busy pub for the World Cup, but this year we thought we'd kick things off ahead of the event and go patriotic.

"We have two big screens and two plasmas, so supporters can watch the games from anywhere in the pub, and we'll be serving a sports menu of burgers and hot dogs. We're also having a beach party on June 9 to coincide with the opening ceremony."

At The Windmill, in Blossom Street, the big outside doors are painted in the St George's flag, and the conservatory is decked out in all the flags of the competing nations.

Manager and England fan Peter Pendlebury said it would the first World Cup in recent years when he would be staying at home. He said: "I'm a big England fan myself, and I was in Japan and France, but I won't be going this year, so here at the pub we'll be making it an event to remember.

"We have three 27in TVs outside under a big canvas, and there will be face-painting, competitions and giveaways."

Updated: 09:28 Saturday, May 13, 2006