POLICE last night praised the behaviour of thousands of Ipswich and Norwich fans after the East Anglian derby passed without incident. Officers made just two arrests for public disorder offences during yesterday's clash at Portman Road.

POLICE last night praised the behaviour of thousands of Ipswich and Norwich fans after the East

Anglian derby passed without incident.

Officers made just two arrests for public disorder offences during yesterday's clash at Portman Road.

The operation involved 250 police officers from Suffolk, Norfolk and the Metropolitan Police's mounted division policing a crowd of 30,000 fans.

A spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary said: "The match passed without incident. There were 30,000 supporters and 2,200 of those from Norwich and there were only two arrests for public order problems.

"We were very pleased with the way the police operation went. Looking at CCTV it looked like an ordinary shopping day."

The day before the gamea group of Ipswich and Norwich fans braved pouring rain to walk 15-miles for charity.

The event was organised by Graham Lockwood, who has renal cancer, to raise money for a £300,000 appeal to build a cancer and information centre at Ipswich Hospital.

Those taking part in the walk, were Mr Lockwood's wife Angie, his sister-in-law Sue Gayfer, friend and ex-Town midfielder Simon Milton and ex-Norwich and Ipswich player Trevor Putney, who represented the Canaries.

Collection buckets were also passed around the fans at yesterday's game for the Mendlesham Action and Support Team (MAST), which raises money for a number of cancer charities in the area.

Mr Lockwood founded MAST and has raised more than £10,000 for Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, nearly £40,000 for Cancer Research UK and more than £4,000 for Macmillan Cancer Care.

He said: "It was excellent and they went into power walking in the end. People were even throwing money at them in the road.

"They took the weather in good humour and called in at the Claydon Crown for a quick coffee.

"I think Simon kept them going with his humour and he certainly set the pace."

Mr Lockwood has been battling cancer for more than a year, undergoing two major operations.

He also has an inoperable brain tumour but is determined to beat the disease.

"Cancer in any shape or form is an emotive word, but the dedicated staff of Ipswich Hospital have helped me and my family to find a way to live day by day with cancer.

"We're determined, through our efforts, to help them continue the battle against the disease."

Anyone who wants to help can call Graham Lockwood on 01449 767763, Darryl Long on 01449 765327, Pauline Holland on 01449 765259 or Stuart Wardlaw on 01449 765265.

Meanwhile, Norwich City fans heading for the derby against Ipswich Town were delayed after being held up at Diss. A technical fault meant that the 10.30am departure from Norwich, an overflow train for Canary supporters, was stuck at Diss station with the brakes locked.

An Anglia Railways spokesman said the problem meant the following train, the 11am departure from Norwich, was stuck behind it. In total an estimated 100 fans were stranded and at one point had no idea whether they would ever get to the Portman Road clash.

Anglia Railways provided two coaches to ferry fans stranded on the 10.30am to Ipswich. The 11am train was later able to complete its journey with fans arrive in time for the second half.