Visiting supporters who marched through Bournemouth before the club's first European home fixture have been thanked by police for their conduct.

Fans of Austrian side Sturm Graz were accompanied by police as they walked en-masse through the seaside town to the Vitality Stadium on Thursday evening.

Dorset Police deployed more than 150 officers to the Europa League clash - the first European home game in AFC Bournemouth's 127-year history.

Following the fan walk the force said officers appreciated the cooperation of the away fans "as we worked hard to keep any disruption to the local community to a minimum".

The force also thanked local residents for their patience during the walk to the 20:00 BST fixture it described as a "historic occasion for AFC Bournemouth and Dorset Police."

Officers stayed in the area to make sure all supporters left safely, with additional police patrols in the town through the evening after the game that Bournemouth won 3-0.

The Cherries will host a minimum of four European matches at the Vitality Stadium this season with AC Milan the visitors next week.