THREE alleged football hooligans from Barrow have been charged with affray after an incident at a game between AFC and Tranmere Rovers.

Officers from Merseyside Police and Cumbria Constabulary carried out a joint operation to arrest seven Tranmere Rovers supporters and three Barrow supporters on Thursday, in relation to an incident of violent disorder which took place in the Prenton Park pub, in Borough Road, Tranmere.

The incident happened at around 3.15pm during an FA Trophy fixture between the football clubs on February 25.

The three men from Barrow are Gavin Wood, 45, of Granville Street; Brett Cihlar, 45, of Lincoln Street; and David Johnson, 45, of Holker Street.

The seven Tranmere fans, all from Wirral, are Luke Brown, 21, of Meadway, Upton; Martin Andrew Dunne, 49, of New Chester Road, Rock Ferry; David Andrew Fletcher, 23, of Price Street, Birkenhead; Liam Gretton, 24, of Prenton Dell Road, Prenton; Michael Kelly, 50, Park Road North, Birkenhead; Jamie Lee Thomas Morris, 24, of Bebington Road, Rock Ferry; and Ryan Soderberg, 21, of Prestbury Road, Prenton.

All seven have been charged with affray and will appear at South Sefton Magistrates' Court on May 9.

Superintendent Chris Hitchell said: "The majority of Tranmere and Barrow fans went to the game to enjoy it for what it was - a football match between two passionate clubs.

"Sadly, a relatively small minority from both sets of spectators seemed intent on confronting each other and officers worked hard to identify those responsible.

"The police will not tolerate the selfish and idiotic actions of a few attempting to spoil a game of football that the vast majority of people went along to enjoy. We will continue to work with Tranmere and visiting clubs to crack down on any disorder at any future fixtures."