Police are drafting in extra patrols to deal with drunken football fans packed into pubs for England’s World Cup kick-off on Saturday night.

With the team’s first match against Italy not kicking off until 11pm UK time and many fans drinking all day they fear pubs will become a flashpoint.

Officers have visited pubs across the county in preparation.

Sergeant Jim Suter of the Trowbridge Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We will be increasing our presence during the England games and any other game we deem to be high priority. The special constabulary have been drafted in to help and duties have been changes in order to bolster evening shifts.”

In Melksham police have been working with the landlords to prevent potential disorder.

PC Kane Fulbrook-Smith said: “We had a successful Pubwatch meeting at the beginning of the month in preparation for the World Cup starting.

“We will be doing regular patrols of all the premises. We want people to have fun and enjoy the games, but also to be responsible for their actions.”

Posters will be handed out round pubs warning people to drink responsibly and plan their journey home.

Police have contingency plans for all eventualities, depending on how far England progress.

Inspector Alan Webb, sector inspector for Warminster and Westbury, said: “We will visit places showing the matches, and we will wait to see what comes out of our regular patrols.”

Police are also cracking down on drink driving and domestic abuse.