IT was the stuff of dreams writes Clarissa Satchell

Fans queued outside town centre pubs to make sure they got the best views of the England v Denmark World Cup match on Saturday.

And the game made it all worthwhile.

They saw England cruise into the last eight of the competition with a 3-0 victory.

The fans are now eagerly anticipating England's quarter-final clash on Friday.

Delighted fans watching the match at the Swan Hotel in Churchgate, Bolton, on two big screens burst into song in celebration when Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen failed to prevent a Rio Ferdinand header crossing the line for the first goal after just five minutes.

Michael Owen's second goal at 22 minutes sparked more jubilant singing and dancing.

By the time Emile Heskey scored the third just before the interval, fans were singing "Football's Coming Home".

England had the match sewn up and when the final whistle blew the fans broke into ecstatic cheers.

Stuart Hay, from Morris Green, said: "It was absolutely awesome.

"The best bit was when Heskey scored in the first half, I had just been slating him!

"I thought we would win but I never thought we'd be 3-0 up at half-time."

Natalie Covell, from Salford, said: "It was just amazing, I think we are definitely going to win the tournament after seeing England play today."

Tony Williamson, from Tonge Fold, said: "It was absolutely fantastic. The high point was definitely Michael Owen's goal."

Phil Markland, 18, from Halliwell, said: "It was a great day, but I was a bit gutted as I had put a bet on that we would win 3-1. If Denmark had scored at the end I would have cheered, quietly!"

Police officers gathered in groups outside the main pubs around Churchgate during the match and surveillance vehicles toured the area.

But there was no repeat of the trouble which broke out after the Argentina match and police reported no major incidents.