THEY have been called the picnic police and they'll be checking food at a sporting event near you.

Fans watching international cricket matches at Southampton's Rose Bowl during September will have their bags searched - not just for weapons and glass bottles - but for certain brands of fizzy drinks and crisps.

Spectators at five Champions Trophy matches to be hosted at the Rose Bowl will be stopped from taking drinks and snacks into the stadium - unless they are owned by Pepsi or Walkers.

The move is a desperate bid to ensure maximum commercial gain for match sponsors Pepsi - which also owns Walkers crisps.

The one-day matches include England verses Sri Lanka on September 17 and a semi-final on September 22. They will be watched worldwide by millions of viewers on Sky television.

Pepsi doesn't want to see spectators tucking into rival brands.

Fans who have bought tickets to the matches will receive a list of acceptable snacks. Rose Bowl chairman Rod Bransgrove admitted he hadn't realised how strict the regulations would be but said he could understand Pepsi's demands.

Mr Bransgrove said: "The International Cricket Council will work in compliance with its sponsors in respect of food and drink and we have to comply with their regulations.

"It's fantastic for the Rose Bowl to be hosting these matches. It took a lot of work to get these fixtures with some tough competition and we will do as requested.

"We have signed contracts which enforce compliance and we have to do what they demand.

"It's fantastic to be hosting these fixtures. It puts us right on the international map. Up until now we have only staged two internationals and one of those was washed out. Now we are having five in one month.

"It's a big test for us but we are all up for it and we want more.

"Checking the food and drink does seem a rather onerous process but no doubt when those sponsors provide money to expose their brands at these competitions they don't want any competing brands exposed. That's fair enough if they are paying a great deal of money for the privilege."

Brendan McClements, of the International Cricket Council, said: "It's important we have the right to control what people bring into the ground, both from a safety point of view and to prevent ambush marketing."