The West Midlands' Chief Crown Prosecutor will be travelling to this summer's World Cup to help gather evidence of any violent behaviour by English hooligans.

David Blundell and a group of other 'flying prosecutors' will accompany British police to the event in Germany to help secure evidence strong enough to stand up in British courts and secure travel bans for hooligans.

It is the first time the CPS has accompanied British police to an over-seas football event and the move comes amid concerns of a potential clash between English and German fans in Frankfurt.

The prosecutors will travel with about 100 police, including uniformed officers and plain-clothes "spotters".

The West Midlands CPS contingent is expected to consist of Mr Blundell and up to three lawyers with specialist football disorder expertise.

More than 3,500 hooligans have already been barred from travelling overseas to England matches. Mr Blundell has travelled to football matches in the past to observe policing strategies at football stadia.

Legislation to strengthen existing anti-hooliganism measures is being rushed through Parliament and is expected to be on the statute books by next month.

The Violent Crime Reduction Bill includes clauses aimed at closing gaps in current football disorder laws.

For the first time, Crown lawyers will be given the right of appeal if a court rules against a request to impose a football banning order. Administrative delays will also be bypassed with new rules allowing courts to impose banning orders as part of bail conditions.

A loophole that allowed hooligans to travel after changing their names by deed poll will also be closed.