POLICE are threatening to add to the misery of Newcastle fans attending tomorrow's Premiership home game against Liverpool.

Magpies' supporters, still stunned after the home defeat by rivals Sunderland, face having their cars towed away in a parking clampdown.

Northumbria Police have warned it will take action to cure match-day problems in the Arthur's Hill area near St James' Park.

Instead of issuing parking tickets, officers will tow illegally parked cars to a police compound, leaving owners with a £200 bill recover them.

Six cars causing an obstruction were towed away during last Saturday's derby game.

A force spokesman said: "Officers are planning to do the same again tomorrow if cars are left obstructing accesses and causing problems in the network of roads around Stanhope Street and Pitt Street.

"The situation follows complaints from local residents and problems for the fire brigade with cars blocking streets causing problems for them in reaching emergencies."

Police said the problems in Arthur's Hill had increased since Barrack Road was made a clearway.

The spokesman added: "Parking problems on match days are now horrendous and we want to get the message over to fans that they must use common sense."