A MAJOR security operation will be in place across the North-East this weekend to prevent disorder during one of the biggest events of region’s sporting calendar.

Police are ready to react to potential trouble between Newcastle and Sunderland football fans in the towns and city centres of Tyneside and Wearside.

Extra officers will be on patrol in the bars and pubs across Newcastle, Sunderland and the surrounding areas before, during and after the derby match on Sunday.

Fans are being urged to drink responsibly on the day and officers have warned they will not tolerate drunk supporters causing trouble for the majority of well behaved fans.

In Sunderland, officers will be in the city centre and the area around the Stadium of Light from early on Sunday morning to support residents, businesses as well as licensees and pub staff.

Sunderland Chief Inspector George Maratty said: “We want football fans and residents to be able to enjoy the occasion and won't allow a small minority who drink to excess and cause trouble to spoil it for the majority of real supporters.

“The city centre will be busy, as will the public transport and road networks around the city so people not going to the match need to bear this in mind.”

In Newcastle, officers will be at Central Station on Sunday morning helping travelling fans get onto trains, Metros and coaches and will be carrying out patrols of bars and pubs in the city centre.

Chief Inspector Sheila Foggo said: “There will be a significant visible policing presence in the city centre on Sunday morning to ensure the travelling supporters get to Sunderland safe and cause minimal disruption to the public.

"In the past we’ve seen a higher number of incidents in our town centres on derby days and in response we have extra officers in key areas to provide reassurance.”

After full time extra patrols will continue in Sunderland and Newcastle into the evening to prevent unruly behavior.