People flying to South Africa for the World Cup have been told not to expect a free flight home or a 'get out of jail card' if things go wrong.

With thousands of supporters leaving the country today, there are fears that some may end up having a trip they would rather forget.

Lost plane and match tickets are just some of the disasters awaiting fans after several heady days of drinking and partying.

The Foreign Office will be handing out information cards to travellers at UK airports, such as Heathrow and Gatwick, telling them what the Government can and cannot do to help them in an attempt to stop any World Cup tears and tantrums.

Phil Lord, Be On The Ball campaign manager, said: "If you experience a serious problem during the World Cup such as an accident, you are a victim of crime or lose your passport, the local British consulate can help you.

"However, it is important for football fans about to travel to support England in South Africa to understand that we can't provide you with free flights home or issue you a replacement football match ticket."

The FCO has been bombarded by requests for help from hapless fans in previous tournaments.

One group of supporters turned up at the consulate a day after a Champions League match still drunk and having missed their flight - they requested free flights home.

Another supporter asked for consular help in getting a mannequin into a ground.

The FCO stresses it cannot pay fans' bills, give them money, get them out of prison or get them into South Africa if they do not have a valid passport.

But officials can help supporters transfer money, get them legal advice and provide them with support if they are a victim of crime.

Mr Lord said: "British nationals need to understand what the FCO can and can't do for them so our staff in the consular office and on the ground, at the football matches, can focus their resource on situations where people really need our help."

Fans are being urged to make sure they have travel insurance - the FCO says South Africa's healthcare system is very expensive.

And with some stadiums several hundred miles apart, tourists opting to travel by car are being warned that the country has one of the world's highest number of road deaths.