BOLTON'S football fans are already going World Cup crazy. Thousands of shirts, scarves and souvenirs have been bought more than a week before the soccer spectacular starts in France a week on Wednesday. And Bolton folk are also starting to pour into bookmakers to place bets on the competition which captures the imagination of millions throughout the world.

Sports stores say England shirts are already best sellers as patriots prepare to cheer Glenn Hoddle's squad on to glory.

But fashion-conscious folk are also snapping up international replica jerseys at a frantic pace in readiness for France 98.

James Coffey, manager at Sports Division, Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich, said Brazilian and Italian shirts were already selling like hotcakes.

Replica England shirts bearing Manchester United midfielder David Beckham's name have also been popular.

"Business has already been brisk and we expect trade to explode if England do well," he said. "The international shirts and trendy T-shirts are going well because they have become fashion items."

Youngsters have flocked to the store near Wanderers' Reebok Stadium to buy a wide variety of souvenirs including face paints, wall charts and World Cup books.

But Jonathan Bayman, manager at neighbouring JJB Sports, said England shirts were by far his biggest seller, well outstripping sales of club jerseys including Bolton Wanderers' replicas.

"England tracksuits, jackets and T-shirts have also been going well," he said. "Bolton is football daft and it seems it can't wait for the World Cup."

JJB's store in Bolton town centre, also said it had enjoyed brisk trade.

"We're doing well and expect it to get even better," said a spokesman.

Local bookmakers are also set for a cash bonanza as England's squad continue preparations for their first qualifying match against Tunisia on June 15.

Bets have already flooded in with most folk having a flutter on 15-2 England or 7-2 favourites Brazil to win the cup.

Most popular punts on the competition's top scorer are super striker Ronaldo and England skipper Alan Shearer.

Bookmakers expect an even greater deluge of interest after the tournament's opening game between holders Brazil and Craig Brown's Scotland.

A spokesman for Done's in Little Lever told the BEN: "We expect to be snowed under. Wanderers may have gone down, but Bolton folk just love their football."

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