IF you have ever sat in church and wondered if you caught the end of England footy anthem Vindaloo, then it was probably Philip Blake on the organ.

Philip, organist at St Andrew's church in Kinson and at Child Okeford, is well known for slipping in snippets of sporting anthems and theme tunes during a service.

And it appears organists up and down the country are pulling out the stops and dropping in well-known melodies.

As a man who plays for weddings and funerals as well as church services, Philip can reel off the numerous times he has surprised the audience with his musical skills.

On the day in September 2001 when the England football team beat Germany 5-1 in the World Cup qualifier, talented Philip, 36, played the tunes to Vindaloo and Three Lions at a wedding to keep the attendants amused during the signing of the register.

"I started to play it gradually but as my confidence grew I pulled out all the stops and went for it. The audience thoroughly enjoyed it."

The irreverent Christian website www.shipoffools.com says it has received dozens of accounts from church goers who have reported hearing the odd theme tune being sneaked into the day's service.

One English organist at a church in Melbourne rubbed salt into a gaping wound when he cunningly smuggled Swing Low, Sweet Chariot into a musical interlude during morning worship - just hours after England snatched the Rugby World Cup from the Wallabies. Philip said: "Often if I know the bride or groom well I will find out what their particular interest is and try and sneak something in. It starts out to be quite subtle but when people respond I really go for it.

"I remember playing I'm a Lumberjack when I found out the groom was a tree surgeon.

"I have also been known to play Postman Pat and Bare Necessities when I know there are children in the congregation. I enjoy it because I can look over and see people's reactions. I do it just for their reactions, it's great fun and makes happy days."