A SOCCER hooligans' website promoting violence and racism has been shut down by the Bolton Evening News.

The site included a calendar of forthcoming games with details of organised trouble and was linked to other gangs throughout the North-west, including people claiming to be Bolton Wanderers supporters.

It was created using the BEN's CommuniGate service, which is aimed at enabling community groups, sporting organisations or charities to set up their own site for free.

The hooligan site was spotted immediately by staff and reported to the police.

Called Blackburn Youth, the site also gave details of planned trouble during England's World Cup 2002 Tour which kicks off in June.

It also contained bulletin boards so the thugs could swap messages, updates on the trouble so far this season, newspaper cuttings and songs.

Soccer hooligans are increasingly using modern technology including the internet and mobile phones to co-ordinate their activities.

The police are aware of the existence of such websites and carefully monitor them as part of their intelligence gathering.

Chief Insp Alan Greene, of Bolton Central police station, said: "The people who use these sites know that they are monitored by the police."