SCHOOLS in Bolton are opening their doors early to allow pupils to watch England's clash with Nigeria tomorrow.

Some headteachers have decided to open as early as 7.15am so their pupils can watch the whole game before lessons start.

And, at Withins High School, Bolton Wanderers fans can put aside their differences with chemistry and biology teacher Peter Stiles for the day and cheer on the national squad together.

Peter is the son of legendary Manchester United player Nobby Stiles, who was part of the victorious 1966 England World Cup Squad.

Peter is a keen Reds fan and regularly gets teased about it by his pupils, but even they will be rooting for David Beckham tomorrow.

Several secondary schools have decided not to show the match in case it disrupts GCSE and A-level examinations which are being held this week. However, the head of Kearsley' George Tomlinson School, Tony Buckley, has promised to reconsider if England make it into the semi-finals.

He said: "I have only had two request from pupils, but have had to explain that it would not be practical and have promised them that I won't be watching it either.

"But if England go further, we will have to see!"

Thornleigh Salesian College and Westhoughton High School will be opening their doors at 7.30am, but pupils are under strict orders to attend registration as soon as the match ends.

Harper Green School in Farnworth is also opening early, but children will be allowed to watch the match at home and go in at 10am providing they have asked for permission in advance.

Junior pupils at Lostock Primary School are being allowed into the building from 7.25am and invited to bring their breakfasts with them.

Other primary schools plan to open from 8.15am to allow parents to dash to school with their children during half time and TVs will be available for the children to watch the second half of the match.

"We are all football mad," said the headteacher of Chorley New Road Primary School, Peter Charnock, whose Horwich pupils are near neighbours of the Reebok Stadium.

Other schools turning on the early morning TV screens include The Moss Primary, Breightmet, who will be tuned in during their regular breakfast club, Longsight Primary School in Harwood, St James Primary School in Daisy Hill and Masefield Primary School, Little Lever, whose pupils have been encouraged to turn up in scarves and hats waving flags.

Employers across Bolton are making special arrangements to make sure that their employees do not miss the action tomorrow.

Mr Brett Warburton, managing director of Bolton bread makers, Warburtons, said that televisions are being made available to staff in all rest areas and restaurants.

Nick Medina, boss of textile firm Kearsley Manufacturing, is setting up a 6-foot square screen in the canteen for his 230 staff to watch.