RABIES ALERT

British Home Office guidelines state that "rabies is endemic in Romania" and tourists travelling to the area should try to avoid contact with the numerous stray dogs.

The dogs, which roam the streets in packs mainly at night, are a hangover from the former Communist state. During the 1980s, the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu ordered many Bucharest homes to be bulldozed, leaving dog owners little choice but to turf the animals out on to the streets.

The warning comes as 2,000 Saints supporters with tickets - and a predicted 200 without tickets - travel to the eastern European country for Wednesday's match, many of them leaving today.

The Ugly Inside fanzine editor Nick Illingsworth, who is travelling independently to the game, believes fans should be vigilant.

He said: "I don't think it is something to panic about as it's mainly located around the central palace of parliament. But it is a problem.

"It's just about being extra vigilant.

"In a lot of cases we have a colonial image of the rest of the world that we are miles ahead, but I'm sure we'll find out that Romania, in parts, is a lot better organised than us."

The travel book Rough Guide to Romania warns visitors of stray dogs, which, although an "unusual hassle", are regarded as a "massive problem in the city".

The book says: "If at any time you feel threatened, either walk on slowly and confidently or mime throwing a stone and they'll back off. Do not run!"

Dave Ford, 41, the chairman of the Fair Oak Saints supporters, who is also travelling independently, was looking forward to the second-leg clash, having last witnessed Saints play away in Europe against Hamburg almost 20 years ago.

He said: "I was not aware of the problem.

"We are going out with insurance. But now we know I don't think we'll be approaching any dogs."

Two months ago two people died and a further 11 were injured after the deadly black widow spider found its way into Romanian holiday resorts.

Romanian authorities played down the attacks, which occurred in the country's coastal resorts, fearing for the impact on tourism, but the government also moved to import supplies of an antidote as well as putting hospitals on alert.