POLICE are looking forward to a friendly weekend as tens of thousands of motorbike fanatics head to a North motor-racing circuit.

They have promised a firm but fair approach as the Croft Circuit, near Darlington, gears up for the British Superbikes Championship.

Organisers have advised spectators to allow plenty of time to get to the North Yorkshire racetrack.

Recent postal strikes have caused delays to some tickets being sent out and fans have been warned about the possibility of congestion as a result.

Thousands of fans are expected for tomorrow's events and many more could arrive for Sunday's races.

A one-way system will operate along the A167 on Sunday, inwards between 8am and noon, and outwards between 4.30pm and 7pm.

Diversions will be signposted and there will be no access to the track at Dalton Gate.

Three police forces - North Yorkshire, Durham and Cleveland - will work together to ensure that the races are accident-free.

Claire Jones, events manager at the track, said: "Based on last year's attendance, we are expecting around 25,000 over the weekend and 15,000 on the Sunday alone."

"People come from all over the place. Sometimes we get people from abroad who come to this meeting because they are followers."

North Yorkshire Police's Operation Helical, a "get-tough" road safety campaign, will continue at the event.

Police will use cars, bikes, roadside speed checks and extra patrols to monitor bikers and motorists.

But police officials have said there should be no need for spectators not to get along with the police.

Tony Lidgate, spokesman for North Yorkshire Police, said: "Our motorcycle police have a lot of credibility with other bikers because they're out in all weathers on a tonne-and-a-half machine.

"We have a lot of people who have come from the other end of the country expecting a hard-nosed, unpleasant policing, but it's the exact opposite.

"It's one of those jobs that everybody likes doing.

"It's such a good humoured event, and one we really enjoy.

"Although if there are a minority that try to spoil it, we will have their guts for garters."