Police have swooped on suspected Blackpool football hooligans after the worst violence at a Seasiders game in years.

Large-scale violence before the game against Nottingham Forest in February saw almost 200 people involved in fights around the Castle pub on Central Drive.

A further 75 fans fought outside the Swift Hound pub, Rigby Road, after the game - both fights are understood to have been instigated by groups from Blackpool.

Seven people were arrested in raids yesterday in Blackpool and Lytham (Wednesday), and police say they anticipated making further arrests.

Computer equipment was seized and officers are probing links between the fighting and sinister websites which promote hooliganism. One such website has already been removed from the internet.

"Football violence on this scale is almost unheard of in Blackpool," said Insp Keith Ogle, who is leading the investigation for Lancashire Police.

"This has been an isolated incident involving a large number of people who have clearly been intent on causing violence and disorder throughout the day.

"The football club have assured us that they will continue to support our strong stance with regard to football disorder and will ban any Blackpool supporter found to be behaving in an inappropriate manner."

Insp Ogle warned that fans found guilty of football violence would face a football banning order which would bar them from every ground in England and Wales for three years and possibly force them to give up their passport to prevent them travelling to international fixtures.

Police have been investigating video and CCTV recordings since the day of the match on February 4. They say that between 60 and 80 Blackpool supporters and 100 Forest fans fought at The Castle while 50 Blackpool fans and 25 Forest supporters were involved in the Swift Hound incident.

It is understood that the investigation has focused on Blackpool supporters and that no arrests are expected in Nottingham.

Bloomfield Road has a history of violent incidents from the 1970s and 80s, including the murder of local teenager, Kevin Olsson, on the terraces in 1974 and a day of rioting involving Birmingham City fans in 1989.

However, Blackpool has long been considered a relatively safe' ground for visiting fans - although hooligans from other parts of the country have, in the past, arranged fights in the resort.