TV planners have scored a dramatic own goal after scheduling a ten-hour feast of FA Cup football - for Mother's Day.

Plans have been unveiled to stage all four FA Cup quarter-final ties on Sunday March 10 - Mothering Sunday - with each of the games being broadcast live back-to-back on television.

But while the region's men may be celebrating the chance to spend an entire day soaking up the FA Cup action from 11am to 9pm, women have reacted to the news with horror.

Some football fans have complained that the back-to-back games go against the traditions of all four quarter-final ties kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday.

But it is women who are most angry at the news that not only will they lose sight of their sons and husbands, but they could also miss the chance to see the classic films usually scheduled to coincide with their special day.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Afternoon WI said: "This is going to be really unpopular with people.

"Our group is mainly older members and I don't think they are going to be happy with it.

"It sounds like some kind of April Fool."

The likely scheduling is that the four ties will kick off at 11.30am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm on March 10.

There will be two shown by the BBC and the other two being broadcast by Sky Sports.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "What we are intending to do is to provide the platform whereby as many people as possible can see these quarter-final fixtures.

"That is something which we believe football supporters will welcome."

"Historically, these games all took place on the same day. We would like an opportunity for that to happen again."