FORMER England and Manchester United football player Lee Sharpe has praised people in Warminster for their patriotic plans to hold a St George’s Day festival.

Nick Pitcher, owner of the Prestbury Sports Bar in The Close, said the footballer - due to visit the bar in June - was delighted when he heard the town is considering laying on a weekend of celebrations to mark the patron saint of England.

Mr Pitcher, who came up with the idea for the festival, said: “One of Lee Sharpe’s proudest moments was playing for England and he’s very proud to be English.

“He said it’s great to see a town take on its national day.”

Plans for the festival, which will be held in April 2010, are due to be discussed at a full town council meeting on Monday.

Mr Pitcher approached councillors about the prospect of holding a weekend of celebrations in the form of a festival expected to involve the entire community, including retailers, pubs, shops and local organisations.

Cllr Paul Batchelor, chairman of the finance and resource committee, who discussed the application with Mr Pitcher last week, said: “Political correctness is something that has gone astray and there are people who feel embarrassed about being pro-English or pro-British.

“Perhaps it’s the old English reserve. England is the poor relation when it comes to proclaiming our patron saint.

“At the moment there is quite a ground swell of enthusiasm for it so let’s hope we will maintain that.”

Plans are still in their early stages but organisers are looking at numerous ideas such as an English-themed street fair, a performance at the Athenaeum, schoolchildren in fancy dress, St George’s Day flags flown throughout the town and many other ideas.

If approved on Monday, the next step will be to set up a sub committee of interested parties for a brain storming session and fundraising.

Lee Sharpe will be at the Prestbury Sports Bar on June 20 from 8pm. There are still tickets on sale.