AN exclusive 11 metre football banner has been set up to entice fans into a Hendon pub during the World Cup.

The printed design, which features legends of the international football tournament since 1950, is being displayed along the length of a marquee in the beer garden of The Chequers, in Greyhound Hill.

Dozens of national flags have been hung from the ceiling in what organisers claim is one of the only covered smoking venues in the borough to be showing all the matches.

Event organiser Peter Ancketill, said about 100 people can fit inside the marquee and he expects it to make for an amazing atmosphere throughout the competition.

He said: “We are really looking forward to it. We think it's going to be electric.

“We go to a lot of trouble in everything we do here and we think it's going to prove really popular.

“The sound system is going to blow the eardrums.”

The marquee will feature two HD plasma screens, with Wii consoles for half time entertainment. The organisers are also offering prizes for anyone who can name all the players on the specially designed banner and in quizzes throughout the tournament.

Mr Ancketill said: “The smoking ban has definitely affected the pub trade, but hopefully something like this will be a boost.

“The unique thing is that people can smoke out here and watch the football. But we understand we in a conservation area and we are not expecting any trouble.”

Tickets for England's group games have sold out, but anyone interested in booking waiter serviced tables in the marquee for any of the other games can call the pub on 0208 203 5658.