AS the spirit of Australia Day wells up Down Under, Southampton's own Aussie watering hole is offering to help frosty Brits join the party.

The Walkabout Inn is even holding its party a day early, on January 25, because Australia is about ten hours ahead of Southampton.

Manager Paul Muller said the Australian flavour of the night would start with a bit of customary cuisine.

"We'll fire up the barbie, which is six-foot-long," he said.

He said the INXS tribute band IN4XS, from Portsmouth, would entertain the crowd.

But for those who just want to get as jolly as a swagman, he said there were special prices on Aussie drinks. "We've got a two-for-one deal on all Australian beers - XXXX, VB, Carlton Cold and Crown Lager - and also Bundy rum," he said.

He added: "I would also be showing all our World Cup wins on the screens but it is only one day." He said there would be giveaways on the night as well as a competition to find the best G'Day.

But before you go like the clappers and "come a gutza", here are some guaranteed tips to sound Australian:

* First, slacken the jaw like you're letting some of that warm English beer run out one side;

* Aussies don't pronounce the 'l' in Australia - replace it with a 'y', os-STRAY-ya;

* The greeting "g'day" can be joined to "how are you going" for full Aussie effect, thus becoming "g'dayhowyagoin";

* You're not happy, you're stoked;

* You're not having a look, you're havin' a gander;

* When lifting your first drink say, cheers big ears, to which the reply is, same goes big nose;

* Use "mate" as a substitute for friends' and family names, which is especially useful when you can't remember who you're speaking to.

Now if you're not sounding Australian after that lot, then you've got a few roos loose in the top paddock - if you know what I mean.