WHEN it comes to football, the people of the North-East are the most loyal to their teams.

And Middlesbrough FC has been declared the best supported football club in the country by a unique test.

The Boro have come out top in a poll, carried out by FourFourTwo magazine, which counts the percentage of the local population turning out to support their team.

Twenty three per cent of Middlesbrough's population go to matches at the Riverside Stadium on a regular basis, compared with 13.9 per cent at Sunderland, 13.3 per cent at Newcastle, 5.5 per cent at Darlington and 3.2 at Hartlepool.

The results leave Sunderland in eighth place, Newcastle 11th, Darlington 31st, Hartlepool 48th and York City 86th, with 1.7 per cent.

Dave Allan, communications manager at Middlesbrough Football Club, said: "I think the club are not surprised at the result, because although we often hear how well supported the rest of the teams are, the population of Teesside fares well with Wearside and Tyneside.

"It is further proof of the wonderful passion and loyalty the fans have for the club. We have outstanding support. The club truly is at the heart of the community here on Teesside."