Plan to ease Take That congestion

Take That say their 2009 tour is their biggest ever

Measures are being put in place to ease expected congestion in Sunderland when thousands of Take That fans arrive for the first of two concerts on Friday.

The group will entertain almost 100,000 fans over the two nights at the city's Stadium of Light football ground.

Extra buses and Metro trains are being laid on and all city centre car parks are being kept open for 24 hours.

Police urged visitors to use public transport, as some approach roads to the stadium will close.

Sunderland Football Club have covered the cost of additional Metro trains, which will run until 0100 BST after each concert.

'Key role'

Sunderland City Council will also be operating a park and ride bus shuttle service from Fulwell Quarry - the location used during the Sunderland Air Show.

Buses will run from noon until 2000 BST and from 2300 BST until 0030 BST.

The club's concert manager Gary Hutchinson said: "We have worked hard to ensure the provision of safe, effective and efficient transport options for the thousands of concert-goers who will be flooding into the city."

Bernard Garner, director general of Metro operator Nexus, said: "Public transport will have a key role to play in getting people to and from these concerts."

Supt Marcus Hall, of Northumbria Police, added: "We have been able to draw upon the experience we have gained from policing similar events in the area, such as football matches and the International Air Show."

The Take That shows are part of the group's The Circus Live Summer 2009 tour, which is their biggest yet.