NORTH-EAST council taxpayers will pay the bill for a £2.8m security operation when the Labour Party Conference is staged in Gateshead this month.

More than 1,000 officers will be involved, and Northumbria Police has warned the public they may be stopped and searched.

Firearms officers will be on duty for the conference, at The Sage, from February 11 to 13. The force has applied for a Government grant towards costs, but has yet to be given a decision. The money will come out of the force's annual budget.

The police said £700,000 would be spent on items that would benefit the area in the future, including security camera systems linked to the force headquarters.

The conference is expected to bring up to 5,000 people to the region. Many roads around The Sage will be closed to the public, including the Swing Bridge. The Tyne Bridge will be closed to pedestrians only.

Police have also asked for the public's help and want people to report anyone acting suspiciously, strange vehicles and unattended packages.

Call Northumbria Police on 0191-214 6555 or the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.