ADVICE has been issued from police to Sunderland and Middlesbrough fans ahead of the Tees-Wear derby this afternoon.

Northumbria and Cleveland Police will be working together this afternoon to keep supporters safe, whether they are attending the Championship fixture at the Stadium of Light, or watching it on the big screens at the Riverside Stadium.

Parking near the stadium will be extremely restricted and the Sheepfolds Estate will be controlled by police from 7am.

Vaux Brewery Way, which runs between the North Stand of the Stadium of Light and the Aquatic Centre, will be closed to vehicles from 1.30pm on Saturday to enable Boro supporters’ entrance to the stadium.

Travel networks, turnstiles and collection points are expected to be very busy on the day, as such, supporters are asked to allow extra time for their journey and entry to the Stadium of Light.

There will be no cash turnstiles in operation for either home or away supporters, with the Stadium of Light ticket office open from 10am until kick-off.

Back on Teesside, a live beamback will be shown at The Riverside Stadium for Boro fans without tickets.

A Football Special Train will leave Middlesbrough at 1.05pm and will stop at St Peter's Station. 

Officers from British Transport Police will be at Middlesbrough rail station to assist supporters on the train. 

Boro Coaches will leave The Riverside Stadium at 12.40pm and will be escorted to The Stadium of Light by Northumbria Police Road Policing Unit & Cleveland & Durham Road Policing Unit.

The return Football Special Train will leave St Peter's Station at 5.25pm and travel direct to Middlesbrough.

Boro supporters' coaches will leave the Stadium of Light in convoy with Northumbria Police Road Policing Unit at approximately 5.30pm.

Sunderland AFC’s safety manager, Steve Neill, said: “We look forward to welcoming both home and away supporters for what is a highlight in the fixture list for both clubs.

“With a larger than normal crowd expected we ask those attending to plan ahead. We have worked with Middlesbrough FC and a wide range of partners to ensure that disruption to all supporters is kept to a minimum.”

Middlesbrough supporters are also advised, that while there will be no hold-back after the game, concourse bars will remain open and serving alcohol following the full-time whistle to allow them to purchase refreshments ahead of their return journey. 

Supporters are also advised that park & ride arrangements will return to normal this weekend following disruption in recent weeks due to bridge works on Wessington Way.