POLICE numbers will be significantly increased at Saturday's play-off derby clash between Warrington Wolves and Widnes at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The derby is normally policed, but an additional 50 officers have been drafted in for the game, which is do-or-die for Wolves' bid for Grand Final glory.

Crowd trouble has flared during recent matches with Widnes.

Five Widnes fans were arrested when fighting erupted in the terraces during a game at Warrington in August 2013.

Two smoke bombs were let off, with further violence reported between supporters at Warrington Central train station after the match had finished, forcing police to use riot gear.

And Widnes fans were also reported to have invaded the pitch, and attacked a mascot, during the Challenge Cup semi-final loss to Castleford in Leigh last month.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "There will be in the region of 50 additional officers policing the match.

"The decision to add extra officers has been made due to the fixture being a local derby."