CELTIC fans arriving early in Blackburn for the big UEFA Cup clash will be given a warm welcome by police.

The initiative is designed to encourage a friendly atmosphere in the town as some of the 7,800 Hoops supporters are dropped off on November 14 from a fleet of 150 coaches.

Police will pull over the coaches on main roads leading into Blackburn and direct them to the Boulevard, where fans will be unloaded.

Officers will then hand out a leaflet explaining how best to get to the ground, bus routes and where to find the coach after the match.

Coaches arriving closer to kick-off will go straight to Ewood Park.

Stories have been sweeping Blackburn about fears of violence before and after the game.

There are rumours Celtic will bring 10,000 fans without tickets and that the town centre will be segregated to keep the two sets of supporters apart.

But Superintendent Dave Mallaby refuted each rumour and said the game should be a celebration as police have no intelligence that Hoops fans will cause trouble.

Nethertheless, he is preparing for every eventuality and planning the biggest policing operation of a football match since Rovers' clash with rivals Burnley on April 1 last year.

Mr Mallaby said: "We would expect that people will come for all the day. Traditionally, that's what Celtic fans do.

"It's nothing unusual. It's exactly what we would expect. They will be greeted by police officers and given an indication of where they can go. We want to offer a warm welcome. We are keen to impress that there are lots of places in and around Blackburn to visit.

"We are aware of the link between alcohol and disorder and are not pushing them to alcohol, but saying these are open if you want to go.

"Officers will also be pointing out other things to do in Lancashire which don't involving drinking."

He added that the policing operation for the game was taking in the whole of Lancashire, with Celtic fans also arriving at Preston train station and some staying the weekend in Blackpool.