THE celebrations could be heard for miles - and they went on for hours.

The euphoria surrounding Hereford United's promotion to the Football League has captivated the Two Counties.

Malvern fans, who journeyed to the match in a convoy of coaches and cars, continued the party into the early hours of yesterday morning.

Reg Reynolds, landlord of the Cross Keys pub in Belmont Road, from where more than 100 fans set off on Saturday, said the atmosphere was unreal. He said: "The moment when the final whistle blew was explosive. Even a steward said to me that he had never heard such a noise.

"There was frenzy; it was fantastic. It's going take months to get used to it."

Mr Reynolds, aged 40, who has been a Hereford fan since he was seven years old, said the Bulls have what it takes to be promoted again.

"We're going up and up." More than 15,000 fans attended the match at Leicester's Walkers Stadium.

Among the crowd was Dave Harford, aged 53, of Cedar Avenue, Malvern.

"I'm so over the moon. I'm still on top of the world.

"We've seen some ups and downs, including nine years too long in the Conference.

"We kept on singing all the way through the game and when Ryan Green scored, well, I've never seen anything like it. We're going to sail through League Two."

Doug Marshall, aged 57, who lives off Cheltenham Road, Evesham, was also at the match.

He said: "I'm getting used to it, but every time I hear a clip on the radio I start to well up a bit.

"When it was two-one down and there was only quarter of an hour left and it could have gone either way, it was a nervous period."

Another lifelong fan, Michael Jones, aged 47, of Upton Gardens, went back to the Cross Keys in Malvern to celebrate, and said it was a weekend to remember.

"It was one of the best days the club has ever had," he said. "I'm looking forward to us playing some great teams and having some great games next season."

Celebrations continued at the Cross Keys yesterday when its own football team claimed victory against the Oak All Stars from Ledbury in the Malvern Soccer Site Tournament final. The team's 4-1 victory was watched by 400 supporters.