England vs Wales: Bala renames itself 'Bale' ahead of Euro 2016 Group B clash

One Welsh town has paid tribute to the national team's star player

Bale will spearhead Wales' attack against England in Lens (Getty)

The town of Bala in north Wales has been renamed ‘Bale’ ahead of the national team’s European Championship Group B match against England on Thursday.

Four road signs directing drivers to the town have been changed in honour of Gareth Bale, the Real Madrid forward, who will lead Wales’ front line at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens.

Bale produced one of the moments of the tournament on Saturday when he scored Wales’ first goal at major international tournament since 1958, notching the opener in a 2-1 win over Slovakia.

Dilwyn Morgan, a local councillor in Bala, told local newspaper Y Cyfnod: "It's a great way to honour Gareth Bale and get behind the Welsh squad for Euro '16.

"Gareth Bale is an international sporting star and this move should put Bala, sorry, Bale, on the international map."

The change is expected to last just one day but Mari Williams, editor of Y Cfynod, suggested that the stunt could last a little longer.

"He did, after all, call the Welsh fans, ‘the best in the world’ and this hopefully shows the lengths those fans will go to in order to support the squad,” she said.

“How long will the town be Bale? We’ll see how long we’re in the competition, and if we win, who knows!"