THE words 'we can win it' were shouted out across East Lancashire last night as fans celebrated England's 4-2 victory over Croatia.

Town centre pubs were packed, with fans arriving early to get a good vantage point for the team's final Euro 2004 group game on the big screens.

Draped in England flags, men and women settled down in anticipation of an England win which would see them through to the quarter finals against Portugal on Thursday.

The excitement was put on hold as Croatia took a 1-0 lead but fans continued to cheer on their team and the beer was soon flowing as England equalised.

Tim Pye, licensee at the New Inns, Wilpshire Road, Blackburn, said the atmosphere in the pub was 'amazing'. He said: "It was absolutely fantastic and the pub was packed. Everyone went mad when England scored."

England fan David Aspden, 37, of Darwen, said: "We slaughtered them in the end. England are going to go all the way now."