DAVID BECKHAM has praised America for its patriotism and urged England to follow its example.

In an interview in today??s Sunday Times, the England football captain laments the fact that in England overt displays of patriotism are rarely seen outside sporting arenas and occasional events such as yesterday??s Last Night of the Proms.

The result, Beckham believes, is relentless pressure on sporting stars such as himself to define the nation??s fortunes by their exploits. Beckham makes it clear, however, that his own patriotism is undented by his recent departure from Manchester to play football for Real Madrid.

??I get the feeling that Americans are proud about being American all day, every day,?? says Beckham.

??That??s something I admire because I??m so proud of being English. I admire their (Americans??) sense of pride in their country.??

Each day American school pupils place hand on heart and recite the pledge of allegiance to ??the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands??. While the stars and stripes is ubiquitous on public buildings in America and frequently flown in suburban gardens, the Union Jack is seen increasingly rarely in Britain and few people apart from football fans display England??s flag of St George.

Beckham and his wife Victoria have recently toured America, although Beckham denies this was an attempt to ??break into?? the American market. In his interview he reveals that he fell in love with the country on a childhood trip there and that he enjoys the fresh-faced enthusiasm of Americans towards his sport.

Beckham??s views on America are echoed in his autobiography My Side, published last week. The comments come as the patriotism issue causes growing controversy. David Blunkett, the home secretary, is planning to give new immigrants ??Britishness?? tests before they can get a passport. The plans have caused outrage on the left, with complaints that they fail to acknowledge the needs of a multicultural society.

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