Bradford City has voiced its support for a campaign aimed at football fans who are tempted to bring back illegal drugs from the European Championships.

Holland and Belgium, the two country's hosting Euro 2000, are the main sources of Ecstasy and amphetamines in Europe.

Supporters who make the journey to this summer's matches will face severe penalties if they bring drugs back to England either for themselves or someone else.

And law-abiding fans are being urged to kick criminals into touch by reporting anything suspicious to a confidential hotline on 0800 59 5000.

Bradford City chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "As a family club the staff and players are committed to the fight against drugs. We fully support Customs in this new campaign."

Rob Hastings-Trew, Customs spokesman, said: "We really welcome this support. Fans who follow Bradford City on a regular basis will take note of the message if it is endorsed by the club."

The centrepiece of the campaign is a 60-second public information film which will be screened before all televised Euro 2000 matches.

It features soccer stars Gary Lineker and David Ginola having their baggage searched as they step off a flight from Amsterdam.

In a spoof of their own advertising campaigns, a mix-up leads to Lineker being left with a suitcase of shampoo and Ginola with a bumper supply of crisps. Although no drugs are found in their luggage a seizure is made from another passenger. In the past 18 months Customs officials at the Humber ports have seized ecstasy tablets with a value of nearly £3 million. And in February UK Customs was alerted by Dutch police to the existence of Ecstasy tablets containing rat poison.

Gary Lineker said: "Every one of us can do our little bit to help fight the war against drugs. We may see someone acting suspiciously or a complete stranger may ask you to carry something for them. Don't think twice about reporting it."

Smuggling drugs carries stiff penalties. Smugglers caught with large quantities of drugs seen to do the most harm to society - such as heroin and cocaine - can expect hefty prison sentences.

But smaller quantities of so-called 'soft drugs' such as amphetamines are still enough to warrant a seven-year jail term.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.