Come June 10, the country will be firmly in the grip of football frenzy as Sven-Goran Eriksson's men prepare to tackle Paraguay in their first World Cup game.

But some pubs and hotels are showing the red card to the beautiful game as they opt for class over cup glory.

England kits are out and fancy frocks are in at the De Vere Grand in Brighton, which has declared itself a football-free zone.

While scores of pubs have ordered large screens and bosses have agreed to turn a blind eye to the odd portable television in the office, the De Vere Grand is blowing full time on the game.

Three unrelated football events have been lined up to coincide with England's groupstage fixtures, and more could be organised if the team makes it to the final rounds.

As David Beckham leads his team on to the pitch in Frankfurt a month from today, waiters will be serving complimentary glasses of sparkling wine with afternoon tea in the hotel's lounge.

When Frank Lampard and his team-mates take on Trinidad and Tobago on June 15, cocktails and canapes will be on the menu, while on June 20, the day England play Sweden, a luxury five-course meal will be on offer.

Andi Hirons, deputy general manager of the De Vere Grand, said the events would provide an escape from football fever.

Miss Hirons, 34, said: "It's not that we don't support England in the World Cup, we just wanted to offer something a bit different for those people who want to get away from it.

"The city will be World Cup mad before we know it. It will be absolutely everywhere.

"We want to make the hotel more of an afternoon tea zone than a football zone.

"A lot of places will see the tournament as a revenue opportunity but we want our revenue to come from where it always has done a quiet cocktail by the sea or a relaxing afternoon tea."

A handful of pubs have followed suit, opting not to show the games.

John Archdeacon, 26, co-manager of the Basketmakers Arms, in Gloucester Road, Brighton, said: "We don't need to show the World Cup because we're a no-frills pub.

"We don't even do Christmas and things like that. We're about drinking and talking and we do such a good trade anyway that we don't need to put football screens up."

Andi Frost, 26, manager of the Druid's Head in Brighton Place, Brighton, said: "We would rather avoid the World Cup. It's not what we're about. We're more of a chill-out zone. What the Grand is doing isn't a bad idea because not everyone wants to watch it."

The Evening Star in Surrey Street, Brighton, also said it had no plans to get screens in for the games.

To book the non-related football events at the De Vere Grand, call 01273 224300.