SHOPPERS have been warned Leeds Road in Huddersfield will be very busy around Town's lunchtime clash with Bradford City this Saturday.

A crowd of about 17,000 is expected for the local derby, which will kick-off at the Galpharm Stadium at noon on police advice. This avoids fans drinking heavily in the run-up to a normal 3pm kick-off.

Last year's corresponding fixture passed off virtually trouble-free.

Police have warned people coming into town that Leeds Road will be busy between 11am and noon and again from 1.45pm for an hour or so.

Supt Nigel Hibbert, who will be in charge of policing the game, said: "It's a big game for West Yorkshire. We have planned for it and are well prepared.

"It will be very busy along Leeds Road both before and after the game, but as usual we have procedures in place to get traffic moving quickly when supporters leave the stadium."