AS police gear up to deal with the threat of political protest hanging over Chester-le-Street's debut Test match, town traders are preparing for record visitor numbers.

The town will be the centre of world media coverage when the Riverside stages its first Test match, from next Thursday.

Human rights groups have threatened to repeat protests witnessed during the first Test of the England/Zimbabwe series, which began at Lord's in London last Thursday.

Play was twice interrupted by pitch invaders, who unfurled banners objecting to the regime of Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe.

A demonstration also took place outside the ground as players and spectators arrived.

Police officers from Durham travelled to London last week to view for the extent of the demonstrations and to talk to officials from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Durham Police have said they will adopt a 'low-key' approach in Chester-le-Street and have pledged that spectator safety will be the priority.

Insp Dave Marshall, who will oversee the police operation during the Riverside Test, said: "Officials from Durham County Cricket Club are talking to the organisers of the protests on a regular basis. We are confident we will be able to respond to whatever might be planned for the game.

"Although there will be a police presence inside the ground, this is perfectly normal for a major sporting event. We will only intervene if an offence is committed."

Trade generated by visiting cricket fans is expected to give a huge boost to pubs, restaurants and hotels in the town.

Lumley Castle hotel has been fully booked for the Test match since last summer. Several hundred cricket fans are expected to arrive by train on the day and Chester-le-Street station master Alex Nelson has asked operators to stop extra trains at the station.

Elsewhere, street entertainment has been organised. There are predictions that the match will bring in £250,000 in revenue for Durham County Cricket Club and inject £4m into the local economy.

The town's commercial manager, Christine Davies said: "Cricket fans will be spending most of their time at the ground, but we're hoping that some of them at least will be going into the town centre during the course of the game."