(Source: SAPA)

The economic benefit would come mainly through increased consumer spending and higher business outlay on advertising, the independent consultancy said in a study.

"The positive economic impact of the tournament will be in contrast to the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, whose impact on the UK economy was negative, because the time difference of the Far East meant the majority of matches were played in the working day, adversely affecting productivity," it said.

It was referring to the fact that four years ago, many people took time off work to watch the games on television at home and in pubs.

This time around, an additional 720m pounds will be spent regardless of how far England progresses in the tournament, the cebr noted.

England, despite injuries to strikers Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, remain among the favourites to win the World Cup, which takes place between June 9 and July 9.

Retailers are beginning to already enjoy large sales of flat screen televisions ahead of the tournament's start, noted the cebr.

"Sales of other goods such as replica shirts, novelty football related items and bunting will all receive boosts from the tournament," it said.

In addition the research organisation estimated that should England reach the semi-final stage, there will be additional sales of drinks in pubs, clubs and off-licenses totalling 285m pounds - equivalent to a one percent increase in annual revenues.

The cebr added that an additional 300m pounds was set to be spent by business on advertising during the month-long tournament.

"After allowing for the probable disruption to shopping and a slight downturn in worker productivity we forecast that the World Cup will provide a 1.25bn pound net boost to the UK economy."

But it noted: "The World Cup surge will only be temporary, as consumers simply bring forward their consumption from later in the year, distorting short term retail sales figures."

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