POLICE were on alert in the region's towns and cities last night after football fans drank all day following England's defeat against Brazil.

Officers said there were only minor incidents of rowdy behaviour in the hours following the match but they were keeping a watchful eye last night.

In Durham City, police reported that a number of incidents of drunken violence had broken out in the early evening.

Acting Inspector Gerry Finn said: "There's been sporadic incidents here and there in the course of the day, but nothing serious.

In Darlington, officers said there had been no trouble in the course of the day.

"However, there are signs that trouble is beginning now, with one or two calls coming in and it is certainly busier than usual."

Newcastle police said there had been a few incidents of drunken rowdiness in the day but it had not been exceptional at that point.

"Some people have certainly been drinking but we are hoping there will be no more trouble than usual tonight," said city centre Inspector Steve Minnikin.

In Middlesbrough police said the town was busy but the situation was normal in the early evening although vans were making regular patrols.

l In London's Trafalgar Square, there were five arrests after the game and fences around the fountains were knocked down as fans jumped in the water, but there were no major incidents.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: ''The vast majority of the fans behaved well and dispersed shortly after the game.''