Pub landlords in Wolverhampton fear they will lose as much as £6,000 in takings after closing ahead of tonight’s big Black Country derby match.

Scores of usually packed pubs will lock their doors hours before kick-off at 7.45pm in a bid to cut down on trouble.

The Hog’s Head, on Stafford Street, has been asked to swap glasses for plastic cups before it shuts at 4.30pm after the area was marred by trouble when Albion beat Wolves 3-0 at Molineux in an FA Cup match 15 months ago.

Police say the closures are an essential part of their plan to ensure the evening passes peacefully.

Hog’s Head manager Vanessa Hawkes said it could lose between £5,000 and £6,000 in takings, adding it was time for police, council and licensees to work together to prevent pubs being “bullied into situations where we close”.

Ch Supt Richard Green, of Wolverhampton police, said: “There will be a large police presence during the afternoon and evening.

In the past, trouble has flared around the Stafford Street area, near the Faulkland Street coach park.