POLICE in the region are hunting 18 known football troublemakers who have not yet surrendered their passports ahead of the World Cup finals.

Last night, forces across the North-East warned hooligans who did not adhere to Tuesday night's deadline to expect a visit from them - and face a possible six-month prison term and £5,000 fine.

As the ten-day countdown to the first World Cup match began, 219 of the region's 244 hooligans, who are subject to football banning orders, handed in their travel documents to police.

Their bans prevent them from attending any of the World Cup matches, or travelling to Germany while the tournament is being held.

All banned fans will also have to report to their local police station on the morning of each England match, to ensure their orders are being complied with.

While 25 known hooligans were being sought as Tuesday's deadline passed, a further seven, in the Northumbria force area, have since come forward.

As of last night, 86 of Northumbria's 96 banned supporters had handed in their passports. In the Cleveland force area, 92 of the 99 subject to orders had come forward.

In Durham, only one of the 27 banned fans had yet to be traced, and in North Yorkshire, all five known troublemakers had surrendered to police.

Football banning orders have been hailed as a crucial weapon in tackling football-related violence and disorder, and were introduced after rioting in Belgium during Euro 2000.

Nationally, more than 3,000 fans are subject to the bans.

Police forces across the region have vowed to ensure the orders are enforced during the World Cup, and are monitoring ports and airports across the North-East.

Detective Constable Alison Cowen, from Northumbria Police's football unit, said they were actively pursuing the missing hooligans.

"By not surrendering their passports, they have therefore made themselves liable to arrest, and we are taking a joined-up approach with other forces and partner agencies," she said.

Spokesmen for Cleveland and Durham police forces said they were ready to visit those who had not handed in their documents, and would then decide what action to take.