BOLTON Institute has been put on stand-by for a possible invasion of football fans for the Euro '96 championships.

Thousands of fans from Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic are expected to flood into Greater Manchester for matches which will be held at Old Trafford.

Accommodation is already being provided for fans in Manchester City Centre, where student flats have been allocated. It is believed that camps are to be set up in Platt Fields and Heaton Park. Euro '96 organisers have also contacted Bolton Institute about the possibility of of providing accommodation for fans.

Accommodation officer, Mary Conway commented: "We have had an enquiry from the organisers but as yet there has been no firm booking made. We would certainly like to be involved in this and we are on standby."

Soccer city revellers will be able to party into the late night and still catch a bus home during the tournament.

The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority is providing a network of late night buses which will run until 2.30am on match days and up to 4am on Fridays and Saturdays between Saturday and June 30. The late night network will run across the region, including Bolton, Bury, Leigh and Atherton.

Extra buses, trains and trams will be laid on to Old Trafford on Sunday match days and a 17-day bus and tram ticket costing £3.50 will be available from bus stations and the Tourist Information office at Manchester Town Hall.

North West Regional Railways are providing an eight day and 15 day rail ticket available from key railway stations.

PTA Chairman, Joe Clarke said: "This is a great opportunity for the host of the 2002 Commonwealth Games to prove how well it can handle a major sporting event. The more fans use public transport, the smoother things will go."

Euro 96 kicks off on Saturday when England play Switzerland at Wembley.

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