HYNDBURN Council wants Accrington to grind to a halt next week when Stanley's football heroes are guests of honour at a ceremony to mark their promotion.

The council has organised a civic reception outside the Town Hall on Saturday, May 24, from 12.30pm.

Fans will be able to take pictures of their team with the trophy they won after finishing top of the Unibond League.

The team will then head into the town hall ballroom for the rest of the reception.

Council officials hope the reception will be a repeat of April's events when jubilant fans poured on to the streets to celebrate the victory over Altrincham and entry into the Conference League.

The club dropped out of the Football League in 1962, despite being one of its founder members.

But with promotion to the Conference, they are now one step away from an historic return.

A stage will be erected outside the Town Hall where local band Tessem will perform before the team move inside for the new mayor to make an official presentation to the club's chairman, Eric Whalley, at 1.30pm.

Leader of the council Peter Britcliffe said: "Like many others, I was delighted to hear the news of Stanley's promotion to the Conference and hope that people will further support their aim of getting back into the Football League where they belong.

Mr Whalley said: "The players are looking foreward to it. It's great that they want to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the club.

"It's great for the town and the club, nobody has heard of Hyndburn, but people have heard of Accrington because of the club."

"It will put us all on the map, and, hopefully, in another 12 months we can be promoted again."