LIKE the rest of the country Watford got off to a slow start on Wednesday morning while England played Nigeria in the World Cup.

For once the ring road was not heavy with traffic during the rush hour as most people were at home or already at work watching the game on television.

Office canteens did a roaring breakfast trade, as did The Moathouse Hotel.

The hotel in St Albans Road laid on an Eggs n' Beckham breakfast for more than 70 people, who watched the game in the hotel's conference room before many went into business meetings.

The hotel's events co-ordinator Ms Caroline Carlton said: "Whether we do more events depends on how well the team do.

"After Saturday I will either have lots of things to organise or nothing at all."

Pupils at Ashfield School in School Lane, Bushey, could not wait to get to school on Wednesday with about 50 pupils who came in at 7.30am to watch the match at a specially formed breakfast club.

Pupils paid 50p admission which was donated to the British Heart Foundation.

Headteacher Mr Chris Dobbs supervised the club with another teacher so pupils could watch the entire match at school.

At half time pupils could buy breakfast bars.

Mr Dobbs said: "We had about 50 pupils for the first half and then another 100 children came for the second half.

"We then kept the register open until 9.30am for any late pupils.

"I am sure some would have watched it at home.

Some of the pupils' parents joined the breakfast club as did the school's local postman, who watched the match with them after he finished his round.

June 17, 2002 10:30