BOLTON Wanderers fans have been urged to stay out of trouble during the team's UEFA cup clash in Bulgaria - or face the prospect of years in a foreign prison.

A warning was also given to 36 Whites supporters who are banned from travelling abroad to watch matches under tough Football Spectators Act laws.

Bolton's most senior police officer, Chief Supt Dave Lea, said: "Anyone who wants to go out there and cause trouble will have to fend for themselves.

"This is a country where they take a very dim view of football violence and other crimes. Anyone responsible for disturbance is unlikely to be travelling home with their friends."

Chief Supt Lea and a delegation from the club visited the resort of Burgas - where Wanderers will play the second leg of their UEFA Cup tie with Lokomotiv Plovdiv on September 29 - on a fact-finding mission earlier this month.

Although the town sits on the Black Sea coast, which is becoming increasingly popular with British tourists, Burgas still bears the scars of communism, with crumbling tower blocks dominating the skyline and much of the town ruled by the mafia.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) warns all travellers to the country that low-level crimes, including pickpocketing and carjacking, are rife, with foreign tourists often the targets.

Fans are being urged to find accommodation or book with tour operators to stay in the nearby resort of Nessebar, 15 miles from the Naftex Stadium.

A bus service will take fans to the ground before the game.

As many as 2,000 Whites supporters are expected to head to Burgas. Police and the club officials have predicted a carnival atmosphere, but are urging fans to take extra care to stay safe.

Patrols will man airport terminals to watch out for troublemakers and teams of "spotters" will work with Bulgarian police to quell any violence in Burgas.

They hope to prevent any repeat of the incident involving Liverpool teenager Michael Shields. He was jailed for 15 years for an attack on a waiter in the Bulgarian seaside resort of Varna in May - despite another man admitting he carried out the assault and signing a confession.

Fans have also been warned not to travel without tickets, or risk buying them from Bulgarian touts as they could find themselves sitting with home supporters.

The Bulgarian authorities regularly impose tough sentences for anyone convicted of drugs or football related hooliganism offences, said a FCO spokesman.

Chief Supt Dave Lea added: "This should be a very memorable trip for all Wanderers fans and we will work very closely with the Bulgarian authorities to make sure that it is not spoiled by a minority."

Bolton Wanderers are asking fans to make sure they have valid travel insurance and have warned that the British Embassy will not intervene in the case of arrests or pay medical bills.

A spokesman said: "There has been a terrific response to the game and we are hoping a lot of fans will join the club on its first European trip and make it a memorable event."