Officers say up to 100,000 Scottish supporters are expected in advance of Rangers' clash with Russian side Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester on Wednesday night.

And thousands of those are expected to be staying in Preston and Blackpool as hotels fill up across Manchester.

Every hotel in Preston is already booked solid with travelling supporters.

Now police have promised extra patrols to control the expected crowds in advance of the game.

Operation Hector sprung into life in advance of the match.

It will see extra officers stationed on the motorway through Lancashire, at service stations in the county and in town and city centres.

Supt Peter O'Dwyer, who is in charge of planning the operation for Lancashire Police, said the operation was being launched to safeguard members of the public and those who were travelling.

Police are expecting up to 100,000 people to pass through Lancashire or stay in the county.

Supt O'Dwyer added: "The operation will make good use of force facilities and anyone who breaks the law will be brought to justice."

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