Just in time for the Euros! England fan paints his home to look like a FOOTBALL SHIRT

MEET the country's biggest England fan — who has painted his Grade II listed historic cottage to look like a FOOTBALL SHIRT.

Former professional footballer Mike Hughes has transformed his 100-year-old fisherman's cottage into a giant England shirt with huge St George's Cross ahead of Euro 2016.

The two-bedroom home in Fleetwood, Lancashire, is even decorated with a Nike 'swoosh' in the top left hand corner and the Three Lions emblem on the right in tribute to the current England kit. 

Father-of-one Mr Hughes, 48, said: "I am very patriotic and a big football fan, so I think it looks great.

"Football has always been a big part of my life. I support my country and am a loyal England fan.

"I painted it to be the England house, and that just stuck.

"Now people all over Fleetwood know my house as the England house and it is a bit of a landmark in the town.

"If I ever need to order a taxi, I just tell the driver I live in the England house and they know where I mean straight away." 

Mr Hughes first painted his home with the St George's Cross 20 years ago when son Tomas, now 26, first began playing football aged seven. 

The former pro, who played for Walsall, Wolverhampton and Fleetwood Town before an injury cut short his career, wanted a unique design to impress his son's football mates.

But Mr Hughes claims he was forced to repaint the stone property plain white eight years ago after a dispute with nearby businesses in 2008 but returned it to patriotic glory for the World Cup in 2010.

Since then the design has stayed, and he now touches up the paintwork before each international tournament to keep it looking in tip top condition.

But Mr Hughes admitted his home does stand out on the street, as the other fisherman's cottages are painted in muted pastel shades. 

And he said the building is a local landmark and popular selfie destination for Fleetwood residents and the young players he has coached at local team Wyre FC for the last 15 years.

Liverpool fan Mr Hughes said: "Eight years ago I had to paint over it, because apparently it was offending people.

"But then England were in the World Cup in 2010, so I painted it again.

"Since then I've repainted it for all the World Cups and the Euros.

"I never had any complaints of anyone before that, and have never had any more since.

"Everyone seems to love it and people always want pictures and selfies in front of the house. 

"Absolutely everyone who sees it stops to take a picture. 

"We are near an Asda supermarket, and people cross over to have their photo taken after doing their shopping. 

"We should be more proud of the St George's Cross, and more patriotic in flying it.

"We are the only country in the world where you can cause offence by flying your own flag.

"I am English, so I am going to put up an England flag and will continue to do so." 

Optimistic Mr Hughes thinks England will get to the semi-finals of this year's tournament, although he is holding out some hope for a potential win.

He said: "I think England will get to the semi-finals this year.

"I hope we'll win it to be honest, because I'm that daft.

"But I would be happy with the semis.

"Everyone who walks past the house says they love it so much, so we must be doing something right.

"It makes people smile and it is good fun and that's what it's all about."