England fever was sweeping Shropshire today as the country geared up for tonight’s must-win World Cup clash against Algeria.

As thousands of fans descended on Cape Town, in South Africa, for the vital match, Shropshire residents were pulling out all the stops to get behind Fabio Capello’s team.

Supermarkets and pubs were expecting a boom in trade ahead of the country’s second match in the group stage of the tournament.

County residents were also waiting to find out whether Shrewsbury-born goalkeeper Joe Hart will start instead of Robert Green, following his gaffe against the USA.

Among the many county residents showing their support for Hart and the rest of the England squad are neighbours in Bainbridge Walk, Harlescott Grange, Shrewsbury, who are so proud of their country they have transformed their houses into a sea of red and white.

And they have even decided to change the street’s name especially for the World Cup.

Karen Speake, of Bainbridge Walk, said it was their way of supporting the England team out in South Africa.

She said: “We are England fans and we are supporting them all the way, hopefully to the final. Everybody is so excited they are calling it England Street.

“I haven’t seen any other streets like this and the postman thinks it’s brilliant.”

And football-mad Telford woman Angie Hughes has also shown her backing for the England team — by decking her home out with 37 flags.

Angie, from Sutton Hill, loves football, but in a role reversal compared to many homes up and down the country, her husband Tony, a lorry driver, hates it.

She said: “It’s normally the women trying to escape the house while the footy is on but its the opposite with us — Tony absolutely hates football and he will either be working or in bed while the matches are on. He can’t see what all the fuss is about. I will be watching it at home tonight and I think we will win.”