Police are tripling their manpower and some pubs may close when Colchester United host their biggest match for years.

Although officers do not expect trouble at the sell-out ticket-only game against Manchester City they are taking no chances.

Around 40 officers will be on duty, some inside the Layer Road ground, with others patrolling the streets in the town centre and the route from Colchester North station.

The game kicks off in the evening - at 6pm on Saturday, March 20 - which has fuelled fears among pub landlords of problems before and after the game.

Some are considering closing for a couple of hours to avoid any problems. Around 1,200 City fans are expected at the game but police fear some may travel without tickets.

British Transport Police will be taking extra measures on trains and at stations and liaising closely with the town's officers.

Police have classed the match as category C, because there will be a 7,000-strong crowd, which means three times the number of officers normally available will be on duty. "Normal" matches are Category A.

Insp Clive Butler, of Colchester police, said: "Forty officers will be allocated to the football. Some will be at the ground but we also have to look at the public order situation between the ground and the railway station and after the match in the town centre.

"We do not want to raise alarm. We will have adequate resources to police the match.

"Some pub landlords are concerned but it is up to them whether they decide to close."

The game will be televised live on pay per view Sky TV which police believe will mean most Manchester City fans without tickets staying at home to watch it.

Former top-flight club Manchester City were relegated to Division Two last season.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.