MORE than 100 extra police have been drafted into Hartlepool to prevent trouble at today's derby match against Darlington.

Officers say they are stepping up security and there will be a strong police presence before and after the game at Hartlepool's Victoria Park.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "Due to the history of past derby games there will be additional policing in a friendly, but firm manner."

Hartlepool Football Club said it was expecting more than 4,000 fans at the match.

The extra police presence comes after past matches between the two clubs saw rival supporters in violent clashes.

Two weeks ago, rival gangs clashed in Hartlepool town centre in a battle which police believe was arranged over the Internet.

Before the Hartlepool and Mansfield match, more than 60 youths fought, using mobile phones to find out where police checks were, so they could avoid being caught.

In March, violence flared at the derby match in Darlington, when police were forced to use CS spray and batons to stop unruly fans.

Darlington supporters in pubs rushed out into the street to confront the Hartlepool fans.

Supporters wrote on the club websites afterwards that pub windows were smashed with bar stools, and fans said hooligans threw bricks and glasses at Hartlepool supporters.

A Durham Police spokesman said that no extra measures were being taken in Darlington for fans returning from the derby.

He said: "The chances of the fans causing trouble once they get back to Darlington are hopefully fairly remote, and we aren't expecting any more trouble than usual for a bank holiday weekend."