SIX people have been arrested and cocaine and ecstasy seized following information received by police ahead of today's Wear-Tyne derby.

Around 5am this morning officers executed search warrants in the Durham and Gateshead areas and arrested four adults and two youths on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply.

The six - four males aged 49, 44, 19, 16 and two females aged 41 and 15 - are currently in custody and enquiries are ongoing.

Chief Superintendent Steve Neill said: "As part of the planning for today's derby game we executed a number of warrants based on intelligence that we had received. Six people have been arrested and are currently in custody.

"Cocaine and ecstasy were seized during the searches and enquiries are ongoing.

"We want today's match to be as safe and enjoyable for our communities as possible and we will continue to take action when and where appropriate to ensure that this is the case."

The game kicks off at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland at 1.30pm.