France has become the first country to announce a blanket ban on 'big screen' fan zones during the World Cup over fears they could become the target of terror attacks.

The French interior ministry announced on Thursday that the zones, which were a feature of the European Championships held in the country in 2016, will be 'completely forbidden' as part of new security protocol.

The fan zones are set up in public places, usually in city centres, with thousands of fans cramming into a tiny space to watch football matches on a giant screen.

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Swamped: Thousands of supporters gather underneath Paris' most famous landmark to toast the opening of Euro 2016

More than a million fans made the journey to France for the 2016 tournament - with England alone bringing 200,000

'I remind all publicly-elected officials of the fact that "big screen" zones are completely forbidden in public spaces,' said a statement from the ministry.

'In the current climate of terrorist threats, the security procedures used at the last European Championship must be deployed again, with the same degree of efficiency.'

According to local media - some metropolitan officials in France's minor cities may disregard the directive and press ahead with plans to screen matches in public.

But the ministry warned local councils that it would be 'their responsibility' and they would have to bear the cost of the installations.

'These transmissions, organised under their responsibility, can only be held in closed or strictly controlled areas (stadiums, sports venues, conference centres halls etc.)'

The threat of terror attacks in the country remains high as France has suffered several terror attacks in the two years since the tournament.

Fan zones are typically set up in squares or parks near the center of cities, allowing supporters to watch a game on a big screen. Extra security measures, including reinforced video surveillance, were added in 2016 in the wake of the Paris attacks

Tens of thousands of fans cram into the zone under the Eiffel Tower to watch the final of Euro 2016 between France and Portugal

Only this month an 18-year-old Chechen Muslim, named as Khamzat Azimov, went on a deadly knife rampage through the centre of the Paris - killing one and injuring four others.

While earlier this week, a gunman shot dead two police officers and a civilian in an attack on the Belgian city of Liege.

France had previously declared a 'state of emergency' following the Nice and Paris attacks in 2017 which killed a combined total of 216 innocent people.

The state of emergency was only officially declared over in November 2017 after a period of relative stability - but authorities have warned that the threat of attacks remains high.

It is unclear as yet whether the zones will be banned in the UK.