POLICE are urging supporters to be careful when using a busy road close to a football ground.

Darlington Football Club's next fixture at the Reynolds Arena is on Saturday, against Carlisle United.

Although there are parking spaces available at the ground, many motorists are choosing to leave their vehicles in a nearby cheaper field opened up for parking by businessman Marcus Nimmo.

Fans then take the straightest route from the field to the stadium, which leads directly across the A66 dual carriageway.

But as traffic still flows freely along the road, which has a speed limit of 60mph, police fear it is only a matter of time before someone is hurt making their way across.

Acting Chief Inspector John Blacklock said: "In all the planning which took place before the new stadium opened, nobody could have known that the field opposite the ground would be used as a car park.

"While there is nothing to prevent the owner using it in this way, it has caused us a problem as we now have a large number of people trying to cross what is a fast road.

"We would prefer people to use the parking facilities at the ground, which would be much safer.

"However, if fans continue to use the field, all we can do is urge them to be careful.

"There is no pedestrian crossing anywhere near and we cannot stop the traffic so people will just have to be aware of the potential risk."

Mr Nimmo is understood to have opened the field for the first match against Kidderminster Harriers to help deal with the large crowd, but has said he would consult with police if he were to do it again.