CLARETS chief executive Andrew Watson has backed the decision not to give ITV the digital licences that became available after the collapse of ITV Digital.

Incredibly, even though Carlton and Granada set up the failed ITV Digital channel - from which Burnley are still owed more than £2million - they were allowed to bid for it again.

But the Independent Television Commission yesterday announced that the BBC and BSkyB have been successful.

Watson said: "The club backs the decision to give the licence to the BBC.

"A company that went bust owing £800m simply can't be allowed to take that licence."

The Football League also welcomed the ITC's decision to snub the proposed link-up between ITV and Channel 4.

The League hold ITV partly responsible for the collapse of ITV Digital, which has left Nationwide clubs still owed £189.5million. Court action against ITV Digital's owners Carlton Communications and Granada is due to start on July 26.

League head of communications John Nagle siad: "This decision will not directly affect the ongoing dispute between the Football League and Carlton and Granada.

"However, the Football League was extremely perturbed by the possibility that companies given licences to run a digital terrestrial service, only to close it down while still owing over £800million to suppliers including our clubs, should be given the opportunity to do so again. We are pleased that the ITC shares this view."

The League have regained the rights to Nationwide football and are still in negotiation with several broadcasters about screening league matches next season. They are expected to make an announcement in the next three to four weeks.

The ITC said they considered a range of factors in coming to their decision, including proposals for implementing and improving coverage and the ability to establish and maintain the proposed service throughout the 12-year licence period.

The BBC-BSkyB bid - submitted jointly with transmitter company Crown Castle - was considered best-suited to fulfilling the requirements and promoting digital terrestrial television (DTT) by marketing strategies.

Sir Robin Biggam, chairman of the ITC, said: "The Commission believes that the BBC-Crown Castle application is the most likely to ensure the viability of digital terrestrial television.

"It will target those viewers who have not been so far attracted by digital TV and will help facilitate the move towards digital switchover."