KIND-HEARTED bosses are relaxing the rules to allow England fans to watch the big games.

At Woolworths, which has a distribution centre on the Dorcan Industrial Estate, management are giving football mad staff the option of either swapping their shifts or watching the main games at work in the canteen during their breaks.

And following Sunday's defeat against France, spokeswoman Elina Antoniou said it's even more important to back Our Boys.

"As long as adequate staffing levels are in place at all times, and customer store standards are main- tained, Woolworths is happy for managers to be flexible with staff to ensure that everyone who wants to watch England play in Euro 2004 can do so," she said.

"Watching the national team in major tournaments is a special event for all football fans and extremely important for morale at Woolworths and to the whole country."

CATS Solutions Limited, which is based at Rushey Platt, is also taking a sympathetic stance.

Andy Wilson, the firm's project manager, is one of dozens hoping to get away early on Thursday so he can catch the start of the England v Switzerland game, which kicks off at 5pm.

He said: "A lot of our people are football mad and that includes the management team.

"We are a very patriotic company and we are behind the flag. As long as we are covered operationally there should not be a problem."

Meanwhile, a pottery store is hoping to glaze over Sunday's humiliating defeat with England figurines.

One World in Victoria Road is producing pencil holders, moneyboxes and mugs bearing the England colours to help boost morale.

And with Father's Day just around the corner, it could be just the ticket to lift fans, says manager Daryl Greenaway.

"It's just a bit of fun and it seemed ideal timing with Father's Day coming up," he said.

"I was gutted like everyone else after that game but I think we'll get through the group stage and then hopefully meet France again for some revenge."

Kevin Shoesmith