BLACKBURN ROVERS fans are being given a ticket to ride -- as the club relaunches Soccer Special buses.

As from this coming Sunday's Premiership date with Leeds United, all Rovers followers will get the chance to travel to Ewood Park on special coaches.

It is also hoped the scheme may reduce the number of cars being driven into Ewood.

The club has teamed up with Blackburn Transport to launch the return of "Soccer Specials' - the fleet of buses which transported supporters to games many years ago.

The specials became part of East Lancashire football folklore, but in the 21st century, be prepared for a premier service fit for a Premiership club - a new, speedy and cheap transport system to Ewood.

Unlike the much-loved 'specials' of old, which circled from the town centre and back, the new arrangements will bring fans in from a wider area, taking in Accrington, Darwen, Intack and beyond.

The buses will have privileged parking at Ewood Park and the police will facilitate prompt departures after the final whistle.

Michael Morton, managing director of Blackburn Transport, explained: "We are delighted to announce this ground-breaking move which follows weeks of discussions with the club, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Lancashire Police.

"Starting on Sunday we will offer a cost-effective, comfortable, efficient and safe means of travelling to and from Rovers home games."

Rovers' business development manager Nick Hall said: "We have formed a great partnership with Blackburn Transport, while Lancashire Constabulary have been extremely helpful in setting up this project.

"It's an exciting initiative and is part of our 'Hearts and Minds' campaign to encourage supporters to attend matches at Ewood Park - and to make it as convenient as possible for them to do so."

A 'ticket to ride' with this innovative service costs only £2 per return journey, offering a superb value-for-money door-to-door service for supporters.

Rovers chief executive John Williams called for the town to get behind Rovers at the start of the season in a bid to get more people to Ewood Park.

These are the three routes:

ROUTE A: Accrington to Ewood Park

Accrington Peel Street, Abbey Street, Blackburn Road, Church, Blackburn Road, Intack, Whitebirk Road, M65 Junction 6, M65, M65 Junction 4, Bolton Road, Ewood. Returning via reverse of outward route to Blackburn Road then Peel Street.

ROUTE B: Intack to Ewood Park via Blackburn Town Centre Blackburn Intack, Accrington Road, Furthergate, Bottomgate, Copy nook, Higher Eanam, Eanam, Salford, Railway Road, Jubilee Street, Blackburn Boulevard (Stand P), Jubilee Street, Darwen Street, Great Bolton Street, Russell Street, Bolton Road, Ewood. Returning via Ewood, Bolton Road, Jct 4 M65, Jct 5 M65, Haslingden Road, Grimshaw park, Great Bolton Street, Mincing Lane, Jubilee Street, Railway Road and as reverse of outward route.

ROUTE C: Darwen Cemetery to Ewood Park via Darwen Town Centre Darwen Cemetery, Bolton Road, Darwen Circus, Green Street, Bury Street, Duckworth Street, Blackburn Road, Bolton Road, Ewood Returning via Ewood, Bolton Road, Blackburn Road, Duckworth Street, Market Street, Darwen Bus Station, Church Street, Bolton Road, Darwen Cemetery.