PENNINE Police have teamed up with Burnley Football Club to lend their support to a new national campaign aimed at kicking racism out of football.

The national campaign is being run by police in partnership with the FA, the Premier League, the Football League, PFA and LMA as well as the supporters' associations.

Inspector Dave Shepherd form Pennine Police said: "The message we are trying to get out to people is that there is no room for racism in Burnley - and that includes at football matches.

"Tough action will be taken against anyone caught singing racist chants or using racist language - and that is no idle threat.

"We have made arrests in the past and will seek to do so again where there is firm evidence."

As part of the campaign, police will be distributing posters and working closely with Burnley Football Club to help increase reporting of racist incidents at football matches.

"They will also be liaising with match CCTV operators to ensure that suspects can be identified and dealt with swiftly.

Inspector Shepherd said: "Police in Pennine Division are already working hard to give racism the red card. This campaign should go some way towards helping us and spreading the message that racism won't be tolerated."

Media and marketing co-ordinator at Burnley Football Club Nick Palich said: "Burnley FC is committed to stamping out racism and in doing so we back any initiative to give racism the red card."

The local launch will take place at Burnley Football Club at 11am on April 2 with Club Mascots Bertie Bee and Bumble Bee as well as police officers.