ENGLAND fan Richard Dawe is determined to show his support for the football team.

As Sven's men prepare to take on Trinidad and Tobago today, his flock of sheep are showing their true colours.

Football fanatic Richard Dawe has sheared and painted the flag of St George on to 22 of his sheep - in dedication to the England team.

"They were sheared last Saturday morning, and have a white background with a red cross spray-painted on top," said 72-year-old Mr Dawe, of Hollybed Street, Castlemorton, near Malvern.

"I did it because I am very patriotic and I supported the England rugby team in 2003, so now I'm showing my support for the football with help from my sheep.

"I think the sheep really like their new look, they look very pleased and proud."

Mr Dawe decided to decorate his sheep 'England-style', after one of his employees who shears the sheep suggested the idea.

He said that now the sheep are supporting England he tells them every morning: "Go on carry the flag. Come on, England."

Mr Dawe has been branded 'neighbour from hell' by some of his neighbours in the past, and in September he was issued with a 15-year criminal Anti-social behaviour order (Asbo), but he's hoping his sheep will help build bridges with the village community.

"I plan to appeal against the Asbo soon, but at the moment what I'm doing with my sheep is simply good fun and I think that it will help to heal old wounds," he said.

The sheep have attracted plenty of interest around the area and Mr Dawe has even named one of them Rooney.

"People have already rang me up to say that it looks very good and that it was a well thought out idea," he said. "I will be watching the England game and I will do this again for the next England sporting event."