A NEWPORT County club director praised fans' "brilliant" behaviour this season following the launch of the club's ground-breaking anti-hooligan hotline.

Around 350 Exiles fans have signed up to the service so far, six months after its launch.

The hotline, which was launched in August last year, was set up in a bid to encourage fans to report any abusive or racist thugs who were tarnishing the club's image.

At the time of the launch, County chairman Chris Blight warned yobs they faced being banned for life if they were caught hurling vile abuse at opposition players or supporters.

The move came following a match at Spytty Park in August with Maidenhead United, when opposing fans were subjected to abuse and intimidation.

One home fan was ejected from the ground and banned for life after he was reported by several other fans for racially abusing Maidenhead players.

The hotline allows fans to ring or text a club mobile phone, which is switched on 24 hours a day, to report incidents of inappropriate behaviour either before, during or after games.

A director and safety officer at the club, Rob Santwris, praised County supporters' behaviour following the launch of the hotline: "Our fans have been brilliant this season, the reason people aren't ringing it is because the fans are getting behind the team.

"It's definitely here to stay, it's something that has helped us because all the fans are great and we very rarely have any incidents."

Mr Santwris said one incident this season came when some youngsters smuggled a beer can into Spytty Park, but the matter was reported via the hotline and stewards were able to seize the can and reprimand the supporters.

He said: "The fans are doing what fans should do,supporting the club and getting behind us."

Anyone wishing to register can do so by visiting the club's website at www.newport-county.co.uk.