A LAKE District hotel plans to form a football-free zone for couples keen to escape World Cup mayhem.

The Linthwaite House Hotel, Windermere, is banning any mention of the ‘F word’ for the entire month of the tournament.

Managing director Mike Bevans said football supplements were being removed from the hotel’s newspapers and any guests who heard staff mention the game could claim a free glass of champagne.

“There are a lot of people who hate the World Cup and there won’t be many places they can get away from it,” he said.

“We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure we preserve serenity for any football widows, and this means creating an excluson zone from all matters relating to football for anyone wanting to escape the World Cup.

“We’re even giving guests red and yellow cards to hand out to staff if they hear any mention of football.”

Linthwaite House Hotel caught the attention of Japanese radio stations, television crews from Australia and press teams from Russia when it hosted a similar event four years ago.

Mr Bevans added: “We received a massive response from the public by avoiding the Cup last time around.

“Our staff tried very hard to avoid any mention of the sport – although we did have to give away several glasses of bubbly.”