SUPPORTERS today demanded lifetime bans for Burnley fans who they said shamed the club by invading the pitch during the Lancashire derby.

The calls came amid concern about the Clarets followers' growing reputation for disruption and violence and the fact it could lead to fans being banned from grounds.

Clarets fans are already prevented from travelling to Millwall's ground following repeated trouble between the two sets of fans.

And now genuine supporters fear the latest trouble will have a damaging effect on the club and the majority of peace-loving fans.

A group of about 100 fans invaded the pitch on Saturday following Burnley's goal in the 3-1 defeat by Preston at Deepdale.

A disabled Burnley fan watching the game from the pitch-side in her wheelchair was left badly shaken by the incident.

One Burnley fan pushed Preston goalkeeper David Lucas and another stood 40 yards from the Preston goal with arms raised towards the Clarets fans, preventing the game re-starting. He was eventually rugby tackled by a steward in the Preston goalmouth as he tried to avoid being caught.

The incident prompted a smaller pitch invasion by Preston fans following their team' s second goal.

All the fans were thrown out of the ground following incident, although police said none was arrested.

Bev Todd, of the Rossendale Clarets supporters group, said there were worrying signs that Burnley's reputation as a club with violent fans was growing. She said there were a particular group of young men known as the "Burberry Group" who seemed to cause problems.

She said: "It is a worry and something needs to be done to sort these people out. It is only a small minority, 99 per cent of the fans just want to watch the game, but they are causing problems for everyone. We will soon be banned from other grounds as well as Millwall if this carries on. These people should be banned from the club for life."

Husband Steve said he had helped move the disabled woman in the wheelchair out of the way of the pitch invaders.

He said: "She was absolutely petrified and was screaming for help. It must have been terrifying for her, she was in tears.

"This sort of thing seems to be happening more and more often and it needs to be stamped out."

After the match police dispersed a group of Preston and Burnley fans in the Meadow Street area of the city but said there had been no arrests.

Match commanders were holding a debriefing meeting to discuss the match and how it had been policed today.

Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "This was unacceptable behaviour by a minority of Burnley fans and was roundly condemned by the majority of people watching. I'm sure if they are convicted of any offence they will be banned for life."

Burnley's chief executive Andrew Watson was at the game and saw the fans run on to the pitch but he said today: "As a club we are happy to leave such matters to the police and we always act on their advice and guidance."

Extra police officers were also on patrol back in Burnley during the match, which was televised live on Sky TV, in a bid to prevent any trouble breaking out.

Officers carried out extra, high visibility patrols throughout the town during and after the match.

A police spokesman said there had been no incidents in the town. Preston North End declined to comment.

Paul Smith, of Boundary Clarets, added: "We have got a bad reputation and don't want it getting worse, the only action that can be taken is to ban this idiotic minority."