ANTI-RACIST protestors plan to ignore police advice and turn up in numbers to stop the National Front, as tensions run high before a planned demonstration today.

But police have reiterated their warning to members of the NF and to counter demonstrators that they will arrest anyone likely to breach the peace and will have significant numbers of police on standby in Sunderland.

Earlier this week, Home Secretary David Blunkett banned a march planned by the NF to take place as 48,000 football fans converge on the city before a Sunderland home match.

But more than 100 members of the NF, many from the organisation's strongholds in the West Midlands, are expected to gather outside the city's Gill Bridge Avenue police station at 2pm.

NF national activities organiser Terry Blackham said: "We will be there in Sunderland on Saturday holding an entirely legal paper-sale and handing out leaflets."

But anti-fascists in the region added to the tension by saying they would turn up to counter demonstrate.

Anti-Nazi League spokeswoman Claire Dissington said: "All I can say is that we will get to the site of the rally first and fill their pitch."

Doreen Purviss, spokeswoman for the Tyne and Wear Against Racism group, also announced it will meet at Sunderland railway station at 1pm.

"The National Front seeks to divide working-class people through blaming asylum-seekers," she said.

Last night, head of Sunderland police operational support Chief Inspector Bob Pattison assured the public that a "substantial police presence" was in place to ensure political activists complied with the march ban and with conditions laid down for the rally.

He said: "If people still plan to march through Sunderland tomorrow they will be breaking the law and we will take appropriate action.

"Unfortunately, we don't have the power to ban the rally, but we can arrest anyone who does not comply with the conditions, or is considered likely to cause a breach of the peace.

"The advice also applies to counter-protestors who may turn up on the day."

Sunderland City Council and Northumbria Police both petitioned Mr Blunkett for the march ban.

The NF says it is protesting against 882 asylum seekers housed in the city.