A GROUP of North-west England fans are taking steps to show the positive image of the national team's supporters.

England fans have had a bad reputation for years because of high profile acts of hooliganism when the team plays abroad.

But the well behaved supporters believe the impression people have of England supporters is totally out of proportion with the truth.

And, instead of allowing themselves to be tarred with the same brush as the hooligans, they are forming groups all over the country to show that the vast majority of England's support is decent and friendly.

Angela Cox, from Ramsbottom, is one of several dozen supporters who have joined together to form the North West England Fans.

They are taking part in Sunday's Great Manchester Run to raise money for multiple schlerosis and to raise awareness of what they claim is the true spirit of England's followers.

She said: "There will be 50,000 England fans in Portugal for Euro 2004 and, out of that, there will be something like 50 trouble causers.

"That's a tiny percentage but the problem is that there is so much focus on what they do that people think all England supporters are the same.

"It's not true and we get fed up of the negative image and the fact that trouble involving England fans is the only thing people talk about.

"England fans are starting to realise we have to get out there and show what we are really like to change the image."

The fans will run around the Great Manchester Run course carrying banners with the Cross of St George and the England Euro 2004 slogan 'All Together Now'.