FLAG fever has hit Huddersfield in the run-up to England's bid to bring home the Euro 2004 soccer trophy.

Around the town, cars, pubs and even churches are displaying the red and white St George's flag.

They are all supporting the England team, who will play their first game of the tournament against France in Portugal at 7.45pm on Sunday.

Nationally, supermarket chain Asda has sold 42,000 mini-England flags in the past few weeks.

Sainsbury's, an official sponsor of the England team, has sold 75,000 giant flags and packs that include a car flag and bumper sticker.

In Huddersfield, Sainsbury's store at Shore Head has sold out of car flags.

Grocery manager Eddie McIntyre said: "We had six cases of the official Umbro England car flags sent to us two months ago. They sold out. Then we got another 500 flags - and they have all gone.

"Customers are still coming in for them, so we are trying to get some at the moment. People want to be part of the atmosphere."

Lindley pub landlord Terry Rose has certainly joined the flag frenzy.

He has draped a huge England flag on the side of his pub, the Black Bull, on West Street.

Mr Rose, 48, said: "I got the big flag especially for 2004. We always put up flags for England games and we have seven sports TV screens in the pub.

"I am sports crazy and a lot of my customers are too. The football and the flags create a fantastic mood, a feel good factor.

"I think it is good to be patriotic."

But the fashion for flags is causing concern among some groups.

National road safety charity Brake, based in Huddersfield, is warning drivers about the dangers of car flags.

Simon Collister, its campaigns officer, said: "Flags may pose a risk to other road users.

"If they become dislodged they could cause drivers behind to swerve or crash if their view is blocked.

"Drivers whose flags obscure their view may also be charged under the 1998 Road Traffic Act, which could lead to fines and penalty points."

But there are some steps drivers can take to make their car flags safe.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents suggests that drivers buy small flags and put them where they do no obscure vision.

They should also be well-secured and should not stick out sideways from the car.