CHESTER City’s derby clash with Wrexham this weekend has been called off after the local council issued a prohibition notice against the club’s Deva stadium.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) issued the notice after Cheshire Police said they would be withdrawing policing of the match.

It follows the cash-strapped club being forced to cancel their Tuesday match just hours before kick-off at Forest Green because they were unable to raise a team.

Andrew Rees of CWAC Trading Standards said: “Quite obviously, with all the history attached to past meetings of such great rivals, playing the match without policing inside the ground would present a unacceptable risk.”

He added: “Our first concern must be to warn the fans who have already bought tickets for this fixture, that the there will be no access to the stadium for spectators – should the game take place.”

A statement from Cheshire Police said an agreement with the club “requires payment for the additional policing services to be received five days prior to the football match taking place”.

The statement continued: “That deadline has now expired and no payment has been received from the Club. Chester Police will therefore not be in a position to provide police officers to police within the football ground for the Chester versus Wrexham match listed for Sunday 14 February.”

Managing director of the club Bob Gray said it was “a blow” and added: “Everyone is fully aware of the financial problems we have at the football club.” He said: “The money was available Wednesday but they had needed it by close of play Tuesday.”