Street’s Braziliant show of support

Brazil central: Wales Street Watersheddings gets the World Cup spirit

FOOTBALL-MAD Christopher Ferrand has turned an Oldham street into a sea of red and white for the World Cup.

A total of 30 smart homes are covered in bunting and fluttering rows of brightly-coloured flags form a unique criss-cross bridge.

Even the street name has been changed from Wales Street to England Street for the occasion.

Father-of-three Chris has even made a concession for his Welsh-born next door neighbour: Chris Cunningham from South Wales proudly flies the Welsh dragon at the front of his home.

“We’ve adopted Chris and nicknamed him George,” laughed Chris Farrand.

Mr Farrand, boss of a local engineering works, has lived in Wales Street for 20 years and last turned the street into a sports mecca four years ago for the World Cup in South Africa.

“The flags and bunting create a real community feel,” he said. “Everyone takes part. It is what neighbourhoods are about. The idea has really caught on - people drive down our street just to see our display. It would be great if other streets did it too.

Mr Farrand circulated neighbours with a letter inviting them to make a £5 contribution towards the decoration.

“We had a great response and I bought the bunting off the internet,” he said. “The decorations really lift community spirit and the children love it.”

And with the World Cup in Brazil now just over a week away, Mr Farrand said of unfancied England: “I think we could spring some surprises.”