Punters pour into Dewsbury and Mirfield pubs for Euro 2012

And the interest around Euro 2012 games has already given a welcome boost to trade in Dewsbury and Mirfield.

The Pear Tree Inn in Mirfield had to draft in extra bar staff for England’s opening match against France on Monday.

Jess Allen, who works at the pub in Huddersfield Road, said: “We’re screening all the matches and it’s been making a big difference.

“We’re normally quite busy but when the England match was on, we were packed.”

But she said a lot of customers left soon after the final whistle.

Like many other pubs, the Alma in Thornhill is showing every England game.

Landlady Amy Williams said: “We were not asked to show the matches, we have just put it on. I simply think local pubs should do this sort of thing.”

She said there was a great turnout on Monday, but the pub was not running any special offers to mark the Euros.

Woodman Inn landlady Jane Drury said big sporting tournaments made a massive difference to takings at the pub in Hartley Street, Batley Carr.

“It’s the football and rugby for us,” she said. “It makes for a better atmosphere and everybody’s very upbeat.

“I hope England stay in for as long as possible.”

But at Hanging Heaton WMC, it’s not just the rugby and football that helps fill the bar.

“We’re doing very well at the moment but every little extra helps,” said president Colin North. “We’re looking forward to next week because it’s Royal Ascot. They like their horse racing up here.”