POLICE chiefs and council officials making huge budget cuts are facing a £1 million bill for an English Defence League march planned for the same day as a key Midland football derby.

With massive police and council job losses expected as the authorities try to slash spending local MPs have called for Home Secretary Theresa May to ban the march.

Taking place on March 19, the same day Wolverhampton Wanderers play Aston Villa at Villa Park, police resources are set to be stretched to the limit.

A recent EDL demonstration in Luton left police with a £800,000 bill as the force had to ship in officers from 27 other forces. And two protests by the EDL to Dudley last year cost West Midlands Police and Dudley Council £1.1 million in resources.

When the anti-Islamic group visited Birmingham in September 2009 it ended in violence and 90 arrests when the far right campaigners clashed in running battles with members of the United Against Fascism (UAF) group.

MPs say the potential for trouble on March 19 is heightened because of the Wolves Villa derby – two clubs with a history of trouble with hooligans.

Selly Oak Labour MP Steve McCabe said it was time for Theresa May to use her powers to ban the march.

“I’ve not been in favour of a blanket ban on the EDL before but on this occasion I think it should be imposed,” he said.

“You have a group of people with a track record of violence on the same day as a local derby and we know football matches are a prime recruiting ground for the EDL.”

Joining him in his call was MP Khalid Mahmood (Lab, Perry Barr) who said if the Home Secretary did not ban the march, she should provide West Midlands Police with extra officers or cash.

“We’re talking about community safety here. Every time the EDL go to a town there is violence and trouble,” he said.