EURO FEVER: FOOTBALL fans at Nationwide England's official team sponsor have been busy filling out their holiday forms.

Many at the finance giant's Swindon HQ plan to take advantage of flexible holiday entitlements, ensuring they have time to recover from England's Euro 2004 opener against France on Sunday.

A spokeswoman for the firm, which employs 3,000 people at its Pipers Way site, said: "We are seeing a big uptake of our Choices scheme, which allows people to buy extra holiday credits.

"Being the main sponsor, there is a lot of interest and excitement here at the moment. But we are not expecting too much disruption because the games will all take place in the evening."

During the 2002 World Cup, Nationwide bosses installed plasma-screen televisions to ensure its workers could enjoy the early morning games.

Louise Evans, a spokeswoman for WH Smith, which has its UK headquarters in Greenbridge, said managers have tried to be as accommodating as possible.

"Before any big event we issue notices to staff, reminding them of the holiday procedures," she said. "Holidays must be authorised by each manager. If they have enough cover they are flexible."

Nicola Bryson, a spokeswoman for Zurich, based in the town centre, said efforts have been made to allow staff to celebrate.

She said: "Our people are responsible and diligent so we're not expecting absence problems.

"Wherever possible departmental managers have tried to accommodate as many requests as possible for holiday during this time.

"We wish all the players well and may the best team win."