BOSSES are being urged to give Bolton workers vital World Cup time off -- if they charge £5 each for a soccer match pass.

During the last World Cup, more than 30 million people watched the England v Argentina Game.

And with high profile matches being screened during the day because of the time difference in Japan and South Korea, absences are predicted to rocket with the first high profile match, again against Argentina, screened live at 12.30pm on Friday, June 7.

But Greater Manchester children's charity, the Children's Hospital Appeal's Trust, is hoping to cash in on unauthorised absences.

The charity, which has already equipped ambulances across the region with life-saving equipment, has recently backed Bolton's bid for a new parental support suite at the Princess Anne Maternity Unit.

It is constantly campaigning for more money to help provide vital medical tools for children at hospitals across Greater Manchester.

And now organisers are sending letters to company bosses across the region asking them to adopt the scheme.

A new report suggests that 1.4 million people will phone in sick on the days of key England World Cup games.

The predicted level of absenteeism could cost British firms £142 million in lost productivity and other costs, claimed online recruitment firm Workthing.com.

Workers wanting to watch an England match are asked to pay a donation of at least £5 towards CHAT before being allowed two hours off.

Businesses who want more details should contact Elise Cohen at CHAT on 0161 276 8700.