ENGLAND winning the World Cup would be a great start to making us a happy nation, according to an anonymous list of movers and shakers.

The sight of David Beckham lifting the famous trophy would, they say, have a huge positive effect on the mood of the country.

But people also want far more concrete things to make them happier.

Trains that run on time, roads without traffic jams and a buoyant economy were all rated more important than a football trophy.

The survey, carried out by Opinion Leader Research, used a panel drawn from different spheres of influence to gauge their wishes and concerns for 2002.

Asked to identify what would make the greatest single impact on the country, the Queen's Golden Jubilee is put in third place by opinion leaders who favour match glory over the monarchy.

More than 100 individuals from business, government, media, city and think tanks, were interviewed to discover their top priority.

For opinion leaders, England winning the World Cup would have the greatest impact on mood. Second place in the wish list is taken by economic recovery, with the Queen's Golden Jubilee in third.

Thriving economy

A survey spokesman said: ''By contrast, the public places England winning the World Cup third - and more important to them is having an efficient road and rail network and a thriving economy. But the Queen's Jubilee this summer does not seem to have captured the population's imagination at all.

''This is similar to the case with the Silver Jubilee 25 years ago.

''Although many of us ended up having street parties and even waving Union Jacks, interest was slow until the last minute. Even in 1977, people worried that we were past such nationalistic fervour.''

Banning fox hunting and reform of the House of Lords is low on the agenda for both groups. Although the public rates health and education as more important than transport, economic recovery comes in at number two.

For the public, a more efficient road and rail network tops their list of things that would change the mood of the nation.

The spokesman added: ''It is events that would impact positively on the public's daily life that would have most impact on the mood of the nation.''

Forcasts by the panel for the coming year are:

• Late enthusiasm for the Queen's Jubilee and the World Cup - with serious partying in June;

• Further warming to the euro and closer European integration, which follows the successful transition to the new currency in other European countries, which will help dispel some of the fears and anxieties seen here in the past; and

• Increasing pressure on the government to deliver some real and meaningful improvements in public services.

This, say the panel, is likely to become the focal point of political debate over the next twelve months.

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