Football thugs from across Sussex have been banned from going to the World Cup.

Some 24 hooligans are subject to banning orders following soccer-related public order offences.

They will have their passports seized during the tournament in Germany and have to sign in at police stations during England games.

Five have been barred from pubs in designated areas when either their club team or England play.

The number includes people claiming to be Albion fans but also supporters of other clubs across the country.

Nine are in prison after being jailed last November for the violent clashes outside the Pump House in The Lanes, Brighton, in October 2004.

Michael Bates, 38, of Havelock Road, Brighton, who was jailed with them, has been released but is still subject to a seven-year banning order.

There are fears of disturbances, particularly during this year's World Cup in Germany because of its closeness to Britain.

But Sussex Police's football liaison officer PC Darren Balkham said the orders are part of a broad plan to prevent trouble in partnership with the German authorities, the Home Office and staff at both Gatwick and Newhaven.

He has been meeting officers in London to draw up policing plans and, just as British officers will be stationed in Germany, it is likely German officers will help patrol Gatwick.

Officers will check people leaving for Germany and people with recent convictions for drink-related or violent disorder face having their passports seized and being issued with banning orders.

PC Balkham said: "We're happy where we are at the moment and don't perceive any problems but we'll continue to monitor the situation.

"We have no specific person in mind at this stage but rest assured there may be further operations before June - and more bans.

"Gatwick has a tremendous amount of flights to Germany but also to France and The Netherlands which are easy places to reach Germany from. We're making sure the rest of the fans will be safe and the good name of English fans carries on."

PC Balkham and his team work closely with Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club and attend all its matches to reassure fans and gain intelligence.

As with other clubs across the country, there have been fewer disorder offences and arrests this year.

This is believed to be because nobody wants to ruin their chances of getting to Germany.

Football banning orders can be issued for between three and ten years.

Banned fans cannot attend any football matches - including the World Cup games.