RIVAL football fans caused chaos when they clashed at a Swindon pub on a day when neither teams kicked a ball.

Twelve people were arrested after the trouble which involved up to 100 people at around 5pm on Saturday.

Men believed to be Bristol Rovers supporters smashed all the windows of the Queens Tap when they threw cans and bottles at Swindon fans inside the pub.

The landlord who had only opened the place two days before the flare-up says it was the worst trouble he has seen in 12 years in the trade.

Bristol Rovers' game away at Oxford United was cancelled at 11am on Saturday and with no game to watch their fans descended on Swindon instead.

Town's game against Tranmere had also been cancelled.

Sergeant Carly Stevenson, from Swindon police, said is had been a frightening experience for those in the pub at the time.

"We received a lot of calls from concerned members of the public," she said.

"Every single window in the pub was smashed and upon arrival there was about 50-100 people still outside showing signs of disorder.

"They dispersed and we managed to track some down.

"They splintered off and tried to run off down the back alleys.

"It was not a pleasant incident. They had gone to the Oxford match which was cancelled and on the way back they decided to stop off at Swindon.

"I feel sorry for the people in the pub. It must have been frightening for them."

Licensee Graham Simpson, who has just moved to the town from Cambridge, said: "It's Welcome to Swindon' as they say.

"The locals have said the last time something like this happened was 15 years ago but it's a bit of a shock.

"There was quite a few in at the time and it was a shock for them too.

"I had only been open two days.

"Luckily it was only me working. My other half and two children, who are four and eight, had just got back from the park and they were right outside when it happened.

"They don't want to see that. I have been in the pub business for 12 years and this is the worst incident I have seen.

"Bristol Rovers' game at Oxford was called off so I think they stopped off here and thought we'll have a go at Swindon'.

"They had been in the town all day and then when it's time to go home they go to the train station and we're right here.

"There's extensive damage to the windows and luckily the police response was pretty quick."

Anyone with information should call Swindon police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.