Pamela Tickell
BBC News, North East and Cumbria

Walking up past St James’ Park, you hear the vuvuzelas first and then you catch sight of thousands of supporters decked out in black and white.

You can hear a helicopter roaring overhead.

The mood is joyous and brimming with anticipation.

It seems like it’s mainly families making their way to the first stop on the open-top bus parade’s route. Kids are draped in their scarves, holding flags in one hand and their parents’ hands in the other.

Dozens of yellow-jacketed escorts line the parade route and I also saw four police motorcyclists drive up Barrack Road and turn into the stadium. Perhaps the police escorts for later?