POLICE and publicans mounted an afternoon alert as crowds flocked to Ewood for the Easter fair and the derby battle between Blackburn Rovers and Burnley.

Extra police were on duty to cope with the rush of chanting football fans, who started arriving in the town centre four hours before kick-off.

And with fears of Easter Saturday violence one pub landlord, who refused to open at lunchtime called for compensation from Blackburn Rovers for loss of trade.