PLANS are in place to help a North-East city centre cope with thousands of visitors attending demonstrations and football this weekend.

German anti-Islam group Pegida are marching in Newcastle on Saturday and Newcastle Unites is holding a counter demo.

Meanwhile, the Magpies are taking on Aston Villa at St James’ Park and the centre is expected is to be busy with lots of police officers on duty to make sure the events pass off smoothly.

Chief Superintendent Laura Young said: “There will be delays and congestion on city centre roads as there will be a lot of people coming into Newcastle for the different events and there are a lot of roadworks ongoing at the moment.

“The force respects the right to peaceful protest and takes a neutral standpoint, not supporting or endorsing any groups or individuals. We've been in contact with organisers from both groups in the run up to Saturday and at every stage they have assured us that their demonstrations will be peaceful.”

The Pegida demonstration will take place at 11am in the Bigg Market. Protesters will gather there for speeches and a demonstration.

Newcastle Unites will meet in Gallowgate at around 10.30am and walk to Newgate Street where they will hold a demonstration.

The Bigg Market will be closed to traffic from around 10am.

A small section of Gallowgate will be closed from around 10:30am to 10:45am Newcastle Unites march begins.

A section of Newgate Street will be closed from 10.30am.

There are no plans to close Clayton Street or Grainger Street.