Transport chiefs have laid on extra trams to ferry hundreds of Albion fans to Wolverhampton for tomorrow’s crucial derby match.

But the service will finish at The Royal, the stop before the town centre, to avoid possible clashes with rival Wolves supporters. Battles broke out between Wolves fans and police the last time the teams met six weeks ago.

Tomorrow Baggies fans will be met at the station by police and escorted along the ring road to Molineux.

Sandwell councillor Roger Horton, vice chairman of Centro West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority, said six extra trams were being laid on, three before and three after the game.

It is a different story to the last time the teams met on January 28 for their third-round FA Cup tie when the main Birmingham to Wolverhampton rail line was shut due to engineering works.

With no advance warning, thousands of fans were left to find alternative transport at the last minute and buses were hastily arranged to take supporters to the game.

Tomorrow there will be a normal Sunday service.

Councillor Horton said: “It was felt that ending the service a stop early would reduce the chance of trouble between fans.” He said there would be a fixed £2 one-way ticket pricing on the day.