DEMOCRACY demonstrators were last night urged not to rain on the North-East's big parade as Test cricket comes to the region for the first time.

Durham County Cricket Club revealed that no form of protest will be allowed inside the Riverside ground when it enters the Test match arena tomorrow.

The decision was taken to restrict any permitted demonstration to outside the ground at Chester-le-Street, in line with arrangements for the first Test match of the England/Zimbabwe series, a fortnight ago, at Lord's in London.

A large number of stewards will be at the Riverside to prevent a pitch protest by members of the Stop the Tour campaign, which is opposed to Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe's regime, or any other incursion on to the playing surface.

Despite the ban on in-ground demonstrations at Lord's, two protestors were arrested after getting on to the pitch.

Durham Police, who sent officers to oversee events at Lord's, have pledged to maintain a low profile at tomorrow's historic Test, but have warned spectators to keep off the pitch.

Bill Midgley, chairman of Durham County Cricket Club, who has spoken to members of the Stop the Tour group, said he hoped they would restrict their activities to outside the ground.

"I think we've reached a compromise. We have had to say 'no' to anything in the ground, but that's imposed on us by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

"You have to remember, this is not a Durham game, it's an international match and we don't control the surrounding events.

"Having spoken to the police and the ECB, we came back and made the counter offer of a facility outside the ground for their demonstration.

"You can never be absolutely certain other individuals will not come along and, from experience, all sorts of people decide to run on to the pitch from time to time, but we will take every measure to try to prevent that from happening.

"I would hope the protestors have a way of putting their protest without spoiling the enjoyment of others."

Stop the Tour campaign organiser Alan Wilkinson said: "We would not like to be kept out of the ground at Durham. We want to be allowed to show the public the depth of feeling against this brutal regime."

Despite the shadow of political protest hanging over the game, preparations carried on apace yesterday to ensure the Riverside is seen in the best light.

As groundsman David Measor and his five-strong team carried out final tasks on the playing surface, the finishing touches were made off the pitch as the Riverside becomes the country's first new Test match venue in 101 years.

The first Press conference was staged at the ground, with local boy Steve Harmison the centre of attention.

Zimbabwe only travelled north yesterday and will be at the ground today.

As the catering, hospitality and bar staff prepared to cater for crowds of up to 12,000 over each of the next five days, a 75-strong Sky TV crew was busy mounting its 24 camera positions and giant replay screens.

Debut Test set to be a sell-out

TICKETS sales for the inaugural Test match at the home of Durham County Cricket Club have rocketed this week.

Extra seating has been mounted at Chester-le-Street's Riverside ground to cater for crowds of up to 12,000 during each day of the second test.

After England won the first Test in three days at Lord's last month, interest is expected to be particularly high for play tomorrow, on Friday and Saturday.

Durham CCC spokesman Andrew Jarvis said Saturday - dubbed Fancy Dress Day - is all but sold out, but some tickets should still be available at the turnstyles for the first two days.

Sales earlier this week had topped 8,000 for both Thursday and Friday sessions.

Tickets cost £25 a day for adults and £10 a day for children, although prices are cut to £5 for under-16s on Sunday.

They can be booked via the Riverside box office, on 0191-387 5151 from 9am to 8pm, or via the Ticketmaster 24-hour hotline, on 0870 9090190.

Fans arriving by car are advised to use pay and display parking facilities either side of Ropery Lane, near the Riverside, or car parks nearer the town centre.