CARDIFF'S tourism chief is urging Rovers fans to allow themselves plenty of time when they travel to the Millennium Stadium next Sunday for the Worthington Cup final.

Fans have been promised a red-carpet reception when they arrive in the Welsh capital.

Paul Jenkins, chief marketing and tourism officer for Cardiff Council, visited Ewood Park yesterday to outline travel advice which he hoped supporters would heed on their way to Rovers' first major final for 42 years.

He said parking on the city centre would be "extremely limited" and advised those planning to travel by train to book their tickets as soon as possible and gave the best route to get to the stadium.

He also said accommodation in the centre was all but taken and advised fans wishing to stay to try nearby towns.

Mr Jenkins said: "We would advise visitors to plan their travel carefully, to allow plenty of time and to use public transport wherever possible.

"There is ample free coach parking for groups and the train will bring travellers within two minutes' walk of the stadium. If fans are coming by car they should car-share and follow the signs to dedicated park and ride facilities on the outskirts of the city."

Of those travelling to Cardiff on the motorway Mr Jenkins said supporters should make their way down the M5 then the M50, the A40 before taking up the M4. Coaches should come off at Junction 32 while cars use the next exit, Junction 33.

This will be the second time Cardiff has hosted the Worthington Cup final and Mr Jenkins said lessons had been learned from last year when Birmingham lost to Liverpool.

That time, he said, coaches from Birmingham were looking to set off some two hours before kick-off -- with many missing the start.

Mr Jenkins said fans should use of a park and ride scheme implemented for the day and should get there early.

He said: "The park and ride scheme will be open from 8am and, with the stadium in the city centre, a lot of facilities will be on offer.

"We are working with retailers and cafe owners in Cardiff to open early for breakfasts, so fans will have somewhere to go. The only thing is that the pubs will not be open until noon but that's down to the licensing laws."

The deputy mayor of Cardiff, Coun Christine Priday, said Cardiff would welcome fans.

She said: "We are delighted to welcome Blackburn Rovers fans to Cardiff for what should be a memorable occasion."

But Mr Jenkins also warned that fans must behave.

He said: "We hope all fans would respect the facilities and police will respond to heavy drinking.

"Having said that, our experience so far from the previous games is that fans have respected the city and the facilities and have had a good day."