Virgin Mobile stuffs England fans with free kebabs

Those fans who are currently camped out at England's footie enclave in Achern and are worried about the effect on their of health of excessive consumption of post-beer bratwurst will be relieved to know that Virgin Mobile is offering customers some proper healthy British nosh in the form of a free kebab.

The company has apparently set up a "kebab emporium" in said field of dreams and all users have to do is text "kebab" to 26666 to "receive a mobile voucher entitling them to a free meal upon redemption of the voucher".

Virgin Mobile sponsorhip big cheese, Steve Rogan, said: "We want England fans to be match fit and ready to give our boys all the support they can muster. The post match kebab has become a ritual in towns up and down the country so offering fans a taste of home while they are on foreign soil might help."

Of course, although Virgin is sparing Ingerlaaaaand supporters the ordeal of stuffing their faces with dodgy Teutonic pork-based products, there is a business rationale behind the kebab bonanza.

Ramesh Kumar of ActiveMedia Technology - the outfit behind the "mobile voucher and redemption software" - explained: "Virgin Mobile recognises that mobile incentives are a fun and cost effective way of rewarding loyal customers and a great way to raise brand profile among a targeted demographic.

"The kebab emporium has become a regular fixture at high profile events over the last three years helping Virgin underpin its reputation as a youth lifestyle brand. We are hoping it will prove a good talisman for England in Germany!"

Yup, we're sure Wayne Rooney would agree with the concept of kebab as talisman. The mobile kebab emporium will remain in Germany as long as England remain in the tournament. See you back in Blighty on 21 June then chaps. ®