They can come to the pub, have breakfast and watch the match

Karen Loftus, Offa's Dyke pub

The decision paves the way for other licensees - including those in Hawarden where England Captain Michael Owen lives - to make similar applications.

The time difference between the UK and Japan and South Korea means some of the matches will kick off at 0730BST.

Flintshire magistrates agreed the World Cup is a special occasion, and they have declared that the two pubs can open in the morning for all matches starting on 1st June.

This will include the quarter finals, the semi and the final - whether England progress through the competition or not.

Locals will cheer on Michael Owen

The Liverpool footballer's local pub, the Crown and Liver in Ewloe has also applied for a special licence.

If successful, his two brothers, Andy and Terry, are expected to watch the games there after failing to get time off from work.

Karen Loftus, licensee of the Offa's Dyke public house believes the opening hours will be popular, especially amongst workers at the nearby Aerospace factory who finish their shift at 0630BST.

"They can come to the pub, have breakfast and watch the match," she said.

Special occasions

Local magistrates have always had the power to extend the pubs opening hours for special occasions including bank holidays and New Years Eve.

However, Football matches have never been interpreted as special occasions before.

The ruling comes after a pub landlord won his case at the Court of Appeal to be allowed to open early for the World Cup.