England fans are in raptures across Ipswich and Suffolk this evening as the Three Lions squeezed in the final stages of the World Cup.

ENGLAND fans everywhere drew a collective sigh of relief as the Three Lions edged through to the final stages of the World Cup.

Ipswich let out a united cheer as Jermain Defoe popped up to put England in front early in the game.

Pubs and clubs in the town teemed with football fans hanging on every minute of the big game in South Africa.

Some lucky office workers even got to down tools for 90 minutes and take in the action with colleagues.

Staff at Call Connection made a real event of it by setting aside a ‘grandstand’ seating area for the firm’s many England fans.

Norwich & Peterborough Building Society adorned the entire branch with England decorations and listened intently to the commentary on the radio.

And Ipswich’s iconic Willis building was full of avid fans with a spellbound eye on proceedings.

Supporters piled into pubs and bars around town – nowhere more so than Isaacs on the waterfront, where hundreds of fans joined in unbounded celebration.

At one point the bar was forced to turn customers away as business boomed long into the evening.

Manager John Jackman was delighted by the turnout and stole away from the crowd for a moment to say: “It has been lovely and busy and everyone has enjoyed and behaved themselves. The atmosphere is absolutely fantastic.”

Ady Smith, landlord of the Dove pub in St Helen’s Street and chairman of the Ipswich Barwatch scheme, said the World Cup had given town pubs a shot in the arm.

He said: “Most pubs have been vibrant throughout the tournament, especially when England have played.

“We’ve seen most places packed during the games – so it’s definitely a good thing that England have gone through. Now we just need a stress-free performance to keep the punters happy.”

Ipswich brimmed with the spirit of World Cup unity as old friends and strangers bonded together in support of England.

In the day care unit at St Elizabeth Hospice, the big television screen in the day care unit was pulled down for the game and patients gathered in the lounge to watch the drama unfold.

Flags had been put up in the unit’s main lounge and in the dining hall which is used by staff, patients and visitors.

Meanwhile, the window of the Hospice’s shop in Meredith Road was specially dressed with donated England scarves, flags, footballs and other items collected by volunteers over the last few months.

So, let the sound of vuvuzelas and delirious England fans continue to fill the air over Ipswich as the Three Lions roar into the last 16 and dream of World Cup glory.

If supporters have been feeling tense over the last fortnight, they can expect the pressure to ratchet up as the knockout stages begin.

England’s next game will be on Sunday and we’ll bring you all the action and reaction from the best supporters in the world.

All together now...Come on England!