Licensing magistrates have received a flood of applications from pubs to serve alcohol during breakfast-time World Cup games.

So far, 80 pubs and bars across Oxfordshire have asked for permission for early licences -- and fresh applications are being received daily.

Police say they will be able to lay on extra officers during the tournament if necessary. However, they are not expecting trouble from early morning drinkers.

Forty-four applications have been decided by magistrates in Oxford and in Didcot, where bids are coming in at a rate of six per day.

In northern Oxfordshire, 36 applications have been received, many of which have been approved already.

Licensees can apply up to 48 hours before a match.

Sarah Pawlett, landlady of the Red Lion in Oxford Road, Kidlington, which received permission from Bicester magistrates, said: "All our customers think it's fantastic."

The pub is charging £2 entry for breakfast time games, with the proceeds going to the NSPCC.

"People can't wait. We have started selling tickets and they are going like a bomb," she added.

Mark Bonser, general manager of Bar Med in St Ebbes Street, Oxford, which was granted an early licence, said: "It's worth a lot of money to us from a business point of view.

"I think it's a step in the right direction towards changing our prehistoric licensing laws. We don't expect to have any trouble and will provide security as we would for an evening England match."

Bar Med will be open early during each of England's matches but it has not yet been decided if it will open early for any other matches.

Bar Risa in Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, has also been granted permission. Manager Jamie Ashton said: "I think it's a great thing for the customers.

"We are doing it because we want to support the World Cup, and provide somewhere for people to come and watch the matches."

Applications are dealt with on their own merits by magistrates and pubs which have been a source of trouble could be refused permission. However, most applications are expected to be rubber- stamped.

Initially, pubs were refused such licences because magistrates issued guidelines stating the World Cup was not a special occasion.

However, this was overturned in the High Court a month ago when a judge ruled in favour of a Bristol landlord on appeal.

This opened the flood gates for fresh applications, and elevated the World Cup to the status of special occasions such as the Queen's Jubilee, when licensees can apply for a special order to vary opening times.