POLICE have performed a U-turn on their decision to close Middlesbrough train station on the night the town is flooded with thousands of international football fans.

British Transport Police deny bowing to public pressure after their announcement to halt all rail services provoked an outcry among soccer fans and rail groups.

Thousands of fans faced being stranded on Teesside after 9.45pm on the night of England's match with Slovakia on Wednesday.

Police made the decision on safety grounds, because the usual trains would have been overcrowded.

Officers said their about-face was a coincidence and was more related to "changing information" than public anger.

Superintendant David Bruce said: "You could say it was a coincidence.

"Operations of this size are never finalised until right up until the event, and our decision to review our initial stance was based on changing information.

"It is not a case of us seeing the error of our ways. In fact, I think we can claim credit for being flexible."

Transport Minister John Spellar said: "Closing Middlesbrough station because of high demand did not seem to be a sensible solution.

"I have now asked the Strategic Rail Authority to look at how we can improve planning for additional train capacity at sporting events."

Transport firm Arriva said the three scheduled evening services -the 9.45, 10.02 and 11.02 trains - will now be running, with capacity for an extra 1,000 people.

Dyan Crowther, of Arriva, said: "We are pleased the British Transport Police have been able to review their decision and are now allowing us to operate our timetabled services."

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "I am glad the police and Arriva now seem to have reached an agreement, because if nothing had been done, there might have been the real danger of violence and hooliganism."

Transport groups also welcomed the change of heart. Brian Milne, of Tees Valley Transport 2000, said: "It is great news. However, it does not go far enough.

"A lack of joined-up thinking between the football and rail authorities means we only have the scheduled services which we were told were inadequate yesterday."

Fans urged to behave

POLICE are warning fans without tickets for next week's match to stay away from Teesside.

They do not want the violence that marred the Turkey game in Sunderland to be repeated on Wednesday.

The front row of seats at the Riverside Stadium has been removed to lessen the likelihood of a pitch invasion.

Cleveland Police's match commander, Chief Superintendent Dave Lumb, echoed David Beckham's plea for fans to behave themselves.

He said: "We will not tolerate any form of anti-social or racist behaviour, and will be showing a firm, but fair, approach to policing before, during and after the game.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the people of Teesside, and England fans in general, to show the rest of the world English football at its best."

Police will patrol Middlesbrough during the day, with 500 officers in the stadium.