With the World Cup looming, the cost to business of employees taking unauthorised leave or feigning sickness to watch the matches has been highlighted.

But Burgess Hill-based, recruitment specialist, Capital International HR Solutions has put together a strategy to minimise the effects of absenteeism.

Capital staff will have access to the company's television whenever there is match and there will be breakfast for those wanting to watch dawn broadcasts.

Chief executive Karen Silk said: "The World Cup is a British tradition and a lot of our staff will want to watch the matches.

"It creates a great deal of patriotism which, as a company, we want to support.

That is why we have taken the initiative to allow watching at work.

"It also brings an element of fun and competitiveness into the workplace, which supports our company philosophy of being a fun place to work."