EURO 2004 - a feast of football....absent staff, rowdy crowds, and heavy drinkers.

Company bosses have been warned by employment lawyers that Thursday, June 17, could be the top skive day as England play Switzerland at 5pm.

During the World Cup, company bosses were forced to take drastic measures and often large TVs were brought in to keep football-fevered staff at work.

With late kick-offs this year, most businesses in the area are choosing to do less for the tournament.

But Bowker, the Accrington-based BMW and Mini dealership, is giving their staff the option of coming in early and finishing in time to watch the matches.

Anyone leaving a car for servicing on the Thursday will be able to collect the vehicle early. Customers and staff who cannot leave early will be invited to watch the game on a widescreen TV.

The football fever has already taken over staff at creative marketing agency, Workhouse in Ribchester.

They have clubbed together to pay for the painting of a 15-metre English flag on the side of Miles House, in Blackburn Road.

Welsh managing director Mark Jones was against the idea of supporting England. He said: "My part of the deal is that just as soon as England are knocked out of the championship, the flag's being painted out."

Pubs in the area are preparing for extra customers. Pitchers Bar and Brewers Arms, Blackburn, have ordered extra drinks, and have extra staff in to cover the crowds.

Bars have also decided to use plastic glasses to stop any breakages if the crowd gets rowdy.

Lancashire Police have launched a six-week initiative in Burnley, Blackpool and Preston and bad behaviour after drinking will not be tolerated.

Police will be speaking to pub landlords with problem premises and they can threaten closure if appropriate. They will be checking doorstaff and confiscating alcohol from gangs of youths in known trouble spots as well as enforcing street drinking bans.