INTERACTIVE tech- nology from a East Lancashire firm has been switched from schools to tackle hooligans on match days.

The PRESENTA board and Px software is being marketed by Blackburn-based Pro-methean AV Distribution and involves an interactive whiteboard normally associated with the classroom.

A digital projector can apply any desktop computer application on to the big screen.

And, by using an electronically activated 'magic' pen, maps and other applications can be brought up on the large whiteboards.

Blackburn Police became the first in the country to use the technology for a 'live' operation for the FA Cup replay clash between Blackburn and Burnley.

A huge detailed map of the area was projected on to the screen and, by using colour coded symbols for Rovers and Clarets fans, controllers could plot the position of their officers on the ground and the movement of fans around Blackburn before and after the game.

The commander could then highlight trouble spots and react to potential conflict before it escalated.

And the technology was also used at Sunday's FA Cup clash between Rovers and Leicester.

Inspector Graham Keyte, of Blackburn Police, said: "The new technology gave us a much better view of where our officers were and we could respond and redeploy men much more efficiently.

"Rishton is one area we did not have a large police presence, but the technology let us identify where our closest officers were and how they could be positioned to prevent an incident.

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The company hopes the force will be the first of many using the technology.

Blackburn Police have said the technology will now become a routine part of managing and plotting resources at major police operations.

Doug Sawyers, managing director of Promethean AV Distribution, said: "We now hope it will be implemented by forces across Britain and are also marketing it to the MOD and NHS.