Police have appealed for help in tracing a little boy who helped them clear up after a crucial Premier League game between bitter rivals.

After the final whistle at St James' Park and when most of the 52,000 fans had left the Newcastle United versus Sunderland relegation battle, a young fan was caught on camera clearing up police tape from outside the stadium.

The boy, who appeared to be aged around 10, was filmed helping two officers pick up tape which had been used to cordon off a patch of grass beside the stadium.

CCTV cameras had been set up outside the ground to assist police in monitoring fans leaving after the tense 1-1 draw.

The helpful child's actions came in contrast to the scenes following the same fixture in 2013 when a Newcastle United fan was filmed punching a police horse after his side lost 3-0.

Northumbria Police operations commander Chief Superintendent Steve Neill said: "We'd love for this little boy and his parents or guardians to contact us so we can arrange to say thank you properly for the helping hand he gave our officers on Sunday after the match.

"He played his part in what was a very successful policing operation on derby day and it's only right that he gets his thanks from myself and the force for the work he put in."