A busy weekend is in store for Chester-le-Street residents as the English cricket team plays its first international at the Riverside.

England will play the West Indies this Saturday, and on Sunday Zimbabwe will play the West Indies as part of a three-way limited overs international.

The Riverside Ground, home of Durham County Cricket Club, played host to two world cup matches last year, neither of which involved England, but which attracted crowds of up to 8,000.

But this weekend's fixtures are the biggest yet held at the ground and a full-house of 16,000 is expected for Saturday's match, which starts at 10.45am.

Around 90 police officers and special constables will be on duty on Saturday with 120 cricket club stewards and 30 to 40 council stewards who will be responsible for traffic flows, parking, first aid and safety in the ground.

Chief Insp Jamie McAloon said: "This is easily the biggest sporting event Durham Constabulary has had to prepare for in the past 25 years. It's a very important occasion which puts Durham right in the shop window."

He added: "People coming to the matches, especially on Saturday, can help by setting off in good time and heading for the designated car parks, which will be clearly sign-posted. But if you're not watching the cricket, it would be advisable to avoid the Riverside area completely."

Around 3,300 spaces will be available in the area's south car parks and 2,000 in the north car parks. If these are full, an overflow car park at Park View Community School will be used.

Peak traffic flows are expected at the end of the West Indies match and a section of the B1284 between the Ropery Lane and stadium roundabouts will be closed to allow cricket traffic to leave.

Police are warning traffic wardens will be touring neighbouring streets looking for illegally parked cars and vehicles causing an obstruction. Spectators are being reminded they cannot take alcohol into the ground, although drink will be on sale in the bars.

A smaller crowd is expected for the West Indies/Zimbabwe game but similar traffic and parking arrangements will be in place.