Fans flood into Trafalgar Square

A sea of red and white flooded Trafalgar Square today as England fans arrived to watch their team play Brazil.

A continuous stream of supporters with the St George flag draped around their shoulders left Tube stations and buses and entered the square, where a 32 metre screen was set up to show the crucial World Cup quarter final clash.

Despite the damp start, many arrived hours before the match to secure a prime spot under Nelson's Column and near the front of the crowd.

The central London square's fountains were fenced off to prevent fans getting in and rows of temporary loos lined part of the perimeter.

Police officers, flag sellers and first aiders mingled with the crowd as tension mounted before the match. Among those gathered around the huge lion statues under Nelson's Column were school friends Mark Hayter, 15, and 13-year-old Aidan Hayes, from Eltham, south east London.

"It's going to be a lot better watching the match with all these people. The atmosphere is great," Aidan said.

Mark agreed, saying: "It's much better than watching it at home."

Judith Prout and Dan Ward, from Southampton, said they had come to soak up the World Cup atmosphere and they thought that Trafalgar Square was the best place to do that.

Dan, 21, said: "The atmosphere is really good. We just had to come along."

Judith, 20, said: "I think it will be a close match but England will win."

Fans started chanting and cheering as the start of the match drew near and more and more people filled the square and surrounding area.