THE Lacrosse World Cup is coming to High Wycombe and will prove a bonanza for the town's businesses.

Eight teams and their coaching staff, as well as hundreds of supporters from around the world fly in this evening and will move into the town's hotels for the tournament that starts on Saturday.

High Wycombe will also be at the fore as the England team's star goalkeeper, Anita Thorose, comes from the town.

The 31-year-old from Gordon Road is hoping to help England lift the Lacrosse World Cup for the first time and thinks they have a great chance with home advantage.

She said: "I think we should finish well enough to get to the finals and I really think we could win it this year."

Councillor Bill Jennings, chairman of Wycombe District Council, has lent his support to the event and says it is a great opportunity for the town.

He said: "It helps put Wycombe on the map and we have to be honoured and pleased because not everyone can provide the appropriate facilities.

"It is an enormous logistical exercise and we can say to people 'here is Wycombe and we can put on an event like this and say here you can have a great time'.

"It is costing the council a lot of money but it is trade for the town."

The council is holding a civic reception for the teams this evening.

He added: "It may be the only time that the teams will have the chance to meet each other informally."

Matches will be played at Wycombe Abbey School, High Wycombe, and the final will be held at the Wycombe Wanderers' ground, Adams Park, on July 14.

Wanderers' boss Lawrie Sanchez thinks even the club will benefit from holding the final at the ground. He said: "It is a magnificent ground now with the new stadium and anything that puts it on the world stage and the publicity stage can only be good."

For tickets call 01494 897006.