As the nation attempts to keep its collective cool ahead of tonight's crucial England v Italy encounter, a Sittingbourne builder will be right in the heat of battle.

Terry Matson, 53, is among thousands of England fans who have flown to Brazil hoping to see Roy Hodgson's men achieve the seemingly impossibly and bring home the World Cup.

Terry flew to Sao Paulo on Tuesday where he and a group of friends picked-up tickets for all three of England's qroup matches.

Their attendance is also guaranteed at every game involving the Three Lions should they

progress - even the final.

This latest adventure is Terry's seventh World Cup supporting England, having made his debut at the 1982 tournament in Spain.

Tonight's venue will provide a first for the dad-of-one as it takes place in Manaus, a city in the heart of the Amazon rain forest.

Whatever the result, for Terry and his mates the trip is already living up to its billing as the World Cup experience of a lifetime.

Speaking on Friday, he said: "We saw the opening ceremony and game in a bar.

"There were thousands and thousands of people in the streets. Everyone wears their yellow Brazil shirt dancing to samba music."

He added: "I have never experienced this in all the World Cups I've been to."