A MAJOR campaign supported by six England managers past and present has been launched to allow East Lancashire workers time off to watch the team's World Cup showdown with Argentina.

But major employers today said they would not be letting their staff watch the big games.

Cancer Research UK's 'World Cup Party' is aimed at making sure local workers can watch the match on June 7, live from Sapporo, Japan, which will be shown on BBC 1 at 12.30pm.

Bosses fear tens of thousands of employees would take the day off to cheer on Sven's England - and workers might face red cards when they return to work.

As a compromise, Cancer Research UK is suggesting firms allow workers to crowd around a television at work to watch the big match.

And for the privilege, employees could make a donation, suggested at an hour's pay, to help scientists find effective treatments and cures for men's cancers.

Present England coach Sven Goran Eriksson is backing the idea along with Kevin Keegan, Glenn Hoddle, Terry Venables, Graham Taylor and Bobby Robson.

Companies already backing World Cup Party include PowerGen and Brita.

A spokesman for Castle Cement in Clitheroe said: "I'm sure employees would like to watch England's matches, but we haven't had any specific request from anyone wanting time off for that reason."

Blackburn with Darwen Council is one of the area's biggest employers.

A spokesman said: "It is uncertain as far as letting staff watch the games whilst at work, but if members of staff wish to take time off as holidays there should be no problem as long as all the services we provide are covered."

But coach firm Fraser Eagle, based in Accrington, said it "would definitely not" be letting staff have time off to watch the game.

A spokesman for Barnoldswick firm Rolls Royce said it wouldn't be allowing staff to watch the match whilst they worked.

But he added: "As we are factory that operates on shifts we will be applying for a special licence for our sports club to allow us to show the games. There will be plenty of people who will be coming off the night shifts wanting to watch England play."

Firms or employees in East Lancashire wanting to strike a deal and watch the big game should call the World Cup Party hotline on 01242 228323 for an information pack.