WANDERERS fans Michael and Helen Silcock have the world at their feet tonight -- after winning tickets to the greatest football contest on earth.

They won a dream trip to the World Cup finals in their local pub and will soon be jetting to Japan for England's opening match against Sweden.

The soccer-mad couple, from Lostock, will get the best seats in the Saitama Stadium for the match and will also get to see the Republic of Ireland's game against Cameroon.

They are travelling first-class from Heathrow Airport and will mingle with the rich and famous while staying in one of Tokyo's top hotels.

Self-employed builder Michael, who is a regular at the Reebok, said: "This is a dream come true for Helen and me. But we won't believe it's real until we're on the plane."

Thousands of football fans across Britain were invited to enter the competition organised by American beer company Budweiser.

All Michael and Helen had to do was fill in a coupon at their local pub, the Lostock Arms. But they never expected to win when landlord Dave Shaw sent a bag-full of customers' entries to Budweiser bosses in London.

Soccer-mad Helen, who runs a catering firm, said: "When Dave told us we had won we were flabbergasted. We only entered for a bit of fun, but now we're going to the World Cup.

"Michael has ordered an England shirt for the finals and we're planning to take a present for Posh and Becks as well. They're bound to be staying in the same hotel."

Other regulars at the Lostock Arms should be full of envy after the couple's lucky win. But they plan to give them a good send off when they say "sayounara" in less than a fortnight.

Landlord Dave Shaw said: "Michael and Helen are a brilliant couple and all of our regulars are delighted for them. We're amazed that they're going to Japan."