Patriotic street feels the heat of the Welsh dragon

Friendly Euro 2016 rivalry between England and Wales on Wales Street, Watersheddings. Pic shows some of the football-mad residents including front row left to right, Diesel the dog, Amelia Cunningham (8), Welshman Chris Cunningham, Liam Farrand (8), Englishman Chris Farrand, Lacey Johnson (8).

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ST GEORGE will face the Welsh dragon on June 16 and one Oldham street has been transformed into a sea of red and white with houses decorated in English flags.

That is save for one house which stands out proudly sporting Welsh flags amidst its rivals on the aptly named Wales Street in Watersheddings.

The street - which residents have renamed England Street for the Euros - often finds its homes covered in English flags during a major footballing tournament however the looming game between England and Wales in the group stages has brought more than just English patriotism.

Wales' qualification at a major tournament for the first time in 58 years has given Chris Cunningham - from South Wales, and who has lived on the street for the last 13 years - a chance to gain retribution for the banter he has endured over the years, most notably from his neighbour and organiser of the decorations Chris Farrand.

Chris Cunningham, said: "I receive the banter every time they make it to a tournament. I get it more if Wales lose.

"But this time we have got much better players.

"If we win Chris will never hear the end of it; he's the one who gives me the most stick.

"Apparently I have got to go the pub with the whole street for the game, it's good for all involved, I hope that the two of us get through."

Chris Farrand, said: "We've done it for the last six years and it's got to the point where we can't really stop it and we keep adding to it.

"Me and Chris do have a bit of friendly banter going on, he's a good egg and he's a good sport.

"I'm fairly confident, it's one of the best teams we have taken for years, those young players are going with a bit more experience, I'm more confident then usual."

The street was first decked out in England flags and bunting for the 2010 South Africa World Cup, then for Euro 2012 the street was renamed England Street, with this repeated for the 2014 Brazil World Cup.