POLICE have issued safety advice to Blackburn Rovers fans heading to Holland for the UEFA Cup clash against Feyenoord amid fears over Dutch hooligans.

Rovers supporters are being advised not to go into Rotterdam town centre due to the threat from a minority of trouble-making Feyenoord fans ahead of Thursday's game.

Police have told the 2,500 fans to visit either the Rotterdam district of Oude Haven or stay in nearby Amsterdam.

By following this advice, Chief Superintendent David Mallaby said Rovers fans would be able to enjoy in safety the experience of being part of the club's largest ever away European following.

Rovers go to Feyenoord top of Group E after two wins and, after years of failure in Europe, fans are finally starting to enjoy continental competition.

Many supporters are leaving tomorrow or Wednesday for stag do-style trips over several days.

Mr Mallaby said: "It is Rovers biggest European away game in terms of travelling support.

"The club is having a great run in Europe which is generating a lot of interest.

"We have been working with the FA and the clubs and our Dutch police counterparts.

"The police over there are strongly advising Blackburn fans not to go in the centre of Rotterdam for security reasons and we would like to reinforce that message.

"There are concerns about the behaviour of a number of their supporters - nothing to do with the English fans.

"The fans should either stay in Amsterdam, which is about 45 minutes away by train, or a very nice area called Oude Haven which has a number of bars.

"We hope that Blackburn fans will go over there and have a good time and enjoy the occasion. As well as the amount of fans, police are taking their largest number of officers to an away Rovers game.

Mr Mallaby, who is the match commander for Rovers games, and four officers will be travelling over to liaise with the Dutch police and look after the club's travelling support.