SECURITY is being stepped up at North-East football grounds in the wake of the London terror attacks.

With the kick-off for the new Premiership season just hours away, fans are being warned about the stringent steps.

All 20 Premiership clubs are taking extra measures, such as searching all bags brought into stadia on match days, for the kick-off.

The move is expected to lead to delays at the turnstiles, so fans are being urged to avoid bringing bags or to allow extra time to get into the ground.

Supporters are being asked to arrive early at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow for Middlesbrough's opening game with European champions Liverpool, which kicks off at 5.15pm.

Operations manager Terry Tasker said: "We would urge fans to arrive in plenty of time so we can carry out all the necessary procedures - including searches at the turnstiles - but not cause people to miss any of the match.

"Recent events have caused all businesses to look seriously at their safety procedures, and, following a review and discussions with Cleveland Police, we are introducing extra security measures.

"We would also ask supporters not to bring bags or rucksacks as this will only add delays to their access."

He added: "The measures will be widespread and thorough, and will remain for the foreseeable future."

Sunderland's Premiership return is also marked with a home game, against Charlton Athletic, and the club's safety manager, John Davidson, said: "The safety and security of all supporters is always our utmost priority and we liaise with the relevant authorities on an ongoing basis to ensure this."

Newcastle United introduced new measures for the Intertoto Cup games, and will repeat them at their first home game of the season, against West Ham United, next Saturday.

Bosses at Hartlepool United and Darlington, where a bomb hoax marred a testimonial game for Craig Liddle last month, have both urged fans not to take bags into the grounds.