BOOKMAKER James Creed is getting used to normal life again after nine days following the World Cup in Japan.

Mr Creed, who owns Creed Racing in New Road, Chippenham, went to the finals to watch England's quarter-final defeat with Brazil in Shizuoka two weeks ago.

"It was so hot and as soon as I woke up on the morning of the match I felt England would lose," said Mr Creed, .

He said the atmosphere inside the ground was amazing, and he took in other matches as well, including the semi-final between Brazil and Turkey five days later.

"The grounds were almost all full of Japanese people who were very enthusiastic," he said.

"In the Brazil game you could tell Beckham and Owen weren't fit, plus it really was so hot."

The keen football fan had a ticket for the final but sold it after England failed to progress.

Mr Creed, whose business remained open while he was away, said the World Cup brought in new betting customers, which he hopes will stay on, as well as a lot of female betting enthusiasts.

He said the patriotism generated by England's football team has also been carried over to Tim Henman and Wimbledon.

But sales assistant Ian Symonds, of Thresher's off-licence in The Market Place, Chippenham, said the World Cup did not bring much more business.

"The business was normal and with lots of the matches in the morning most people seemed to get drunk in the pubs during the day," he said.

Tony Forsyth, the landlord of The Bear, in Chippenham, said he has opened a new restaurant and hotel with five bedrooms, which has softened the blow of the end of the World Cup.

"We did see increased trade for the England matches but we have stayed busy with the opening of the restaurant and the hotel," he said.

Bryan Timms, the landlord of The King's Arms in Malmesbury High Street, said business has remained busy following the end of the World Cup.

In Devizes, most people watched the final at home, partly because it was on a Sunday, and partly because, with home interest at an end, no-one felt a need to commune with their neighbours to cheer their team on.

It was quieter than usual at Devizes Sports Club, where more than 100 people regularly turned up during the tournament to watch England play.

Club steward Les Rowse, said: "We had about 20 turn up on Sunday to watch the final, nothing like as many as we have had for the England matches."

Mr Rowse and his staff had laid on breakfasts for the early morning matches and they soon found themselves booked up.

He said: "It was well worth doing and we would consider doing it again,."

Jim Lynch, at the Crown in New Park Street, also noticed the fall-off in interest once England had left the competition. He said: "We had about a dozen people in here to watch the final.

"The England matches were much better supported.

"On the whole the World Cup has been good for business and we may well do something special for the European championships.

Brazilian Luciana Hinder who lives in Savernake Forest with her husband Herbie. a workshop manager at Elm Tree Motors in Marlborough,kept the telephone lines open to her father's home in Sao Paulo during Sunday's World Cup final which the South American side won 2-0 against Germany.

Mr Trinder said: "One of her uncles was so thrilled they were winning he rang us from a beach in Rio.

"We spoke to her father during the match and each time Brazil scored there was a massive cheer."

There was so much partying in Brazil, said Mr Trinder, the government gave people a day off on Monday.