BENIDORM was awash with a sea of red and white as hundreds of Stoke City fans turned up to party ahead of tonight's Europa League clash.

Ten coaches and eight mini-buses were due to set off from the Union Jack pub, in Benidorm, this afternoon to take more than 700 Stoke fans to the Estadio de Mestalla in time for the second leg of the game against Valencia.

More than 4,000 Stoke fans are expected to be in Spain for the game despite the club only being given an official allocation of 2,300 tickets.

And the fans staying at the popular Spanish resort made the most of their team's on-going European tour by eating oatcakes and supping cheap ale in the sun.

Lifelong Stoke fan David James, of Chessington Crescent, Trentham, arrived in Benidorm on Tuesday and is staying in the Halley Apartments, just a stone's throw from the pub.

The 49-year-old, who has taken three days off from his job at Steelite in Middleport, said: "We were at the Union Jack yesterday afternoon and there were about 200 or 300 Stoke fans with more arriving later on.

"There are some great offers. It's really cheap. It's about £1.50 a pint and an English breakfast is about £2.50.

"They are selling oatcakes too for about four euros which is a great touch.

"The weather is really nice. We've all got our Stoke shirts on and our shorts."

His son, 21-year-old Josh, of Danebower Road, Trentham, who works at the Harvester, added: "The apartments are nice and there is a really good atmosphere. Everyone's enjoying themselves.

"The Union Jack has had some T-shirts printed for us which say 'Be Loyal Be Proud Be Stoke'."

Data quality analyst Ben Keen, also aged 21, shelled out more than £200 for the trip to Benidorm.

Ben, who lives in Dartmouth Avenue, Clayton, said: "I got here on Tuesday night and will be flying back on Saturday. We have mostly just been drinking in the pub but we went for a game of crazy golf yesterday afternoon before going back to the bar for more beer.

"It's amazing and it's as cheap as chips."

Fans took advantage of the cheap beer offers as temperatures reached highs of 17C.

Engineer Paul Wilton, of Newmount Road, Fenton, who works at KMF, is staying at the Trebol Apartments in Benidorm for the four-night long trip.

The 42-year-old, booked the holiday before Christmas after Stoke qualified for the last 32 of the competition.

He said: "I wanted to get my holiday booked early because the cost of flights was going up all the time.

"That's why I decided to come to Benidorm because it was cheaper than flying straight to Valencia.

"I'm glad I did it that way because it's fantastic. We met up with all the other Stoke fans and the later it got in the day, everyone got louder and started singing Delilah.

"I ordered four cheese and sausage oatcakes when I got to the bar and they were really nice."

Retired Portmeirion worker, 68-year-old Alan James, of Epping Road, Trent Vale, is spending a week at Benidorm's Venus Hotel.

He said: "I'm having a great time. We're only 10 minutes from the bar. I won 140 euros on the bingo at the hotel last night so that's me sorted for the next few days.

"I just can't wait to get on the coach to Valencia."

Thirty-year-old Dan Hopper, of Starling Close, Kidsgrove, is staying at the Princess Hotel until he flies home tomorrow.

The Network Rail worker said: "We have had a walk up to the old town and tried out a little tapas bar and visited the castle.

"It's the strangest feeling walking around and seeing so many people with Stoke tops on. It's like being at home, only it's warmer here."

Former Trentham High School pupil, Danny Chetwynd, of Trent Vale, is staying at Hotel Sol Pelicanos where much of the television series Benidorm is filmed.

The 23-year-old arrived with five of his friends yesterday and spent the afternoon drinking at the bar before boarding a train to Valencia early this morning.

He said: "The atmosphere is just amazing. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we're making the most of it. All we need now is to win and I think we can do it. It will be 2-1 to Stoke on aggregate."

Fifty five-year-old Dave Morris organised the trip to Valencia from Benidorm. Dave, originally from Manchester, has lived in Benidorm for 13 years and now runs his own business called Union Jack Golf Holidays from the pub.

He said: "I'm not a Stoke fan myself but I thought it would be nice for us to do something for the Stoke lads because it's such a big deal for them and a great opportunity for them to get out there.

"We arranged for some oatcakes to be sent over and they have been selling really well."

The Union Jack bar put on the transport to take supporters on the 180 mile road trip to the stadium in Valencia.

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