Blackburn Rovers' premiership status was "officially" resurrected by fans at the weekend -- in the most bizarre ceremony in football.

But the unusual event, which dates back to 1948, very nearly never happened after police tried to blow the whistle on the parade.

Hundreds of people flocked to Bamber Bridge for the "Raising of the Coffin" procession, which along with the burying of the coffin, takes place whenever Preston North End or Blackburn Rovers are promoted or relegated.

And for those in the crowd who were already bemused by the sight of a dozen men dressed as nuns, along with one dressed as a bishop, parading down Station Road to the last resting place of Rovers' premiership -- under a pub -- things got even stranger when the coffin was paraded around on a milk float.

The ceremony took place last year when Preston North End were promoted to Division One, and the year before when Rovers were relegated.

Then, a blue-and-white coffin was placed in the cellar of the Trades Hall as the sombre bishop, alias local man Dave Tuson, declared Rovers were just too slow.

The parade nearly didn't happen this year after police expressed concern about blocking off the main street on a Saturday afternoon.

But eventually, a cortege of five carnival-type floats headed by bands, dancers and the local fire crew paraded down Station Road with the bishop and his nuns -- dressed in stockings, suspenders and tabards -- walking at the centre of it all. Outside the Trades Hall, the bishop said several verses -- most in rhyme paying tribute to Jack Walker, criticising the police or poking fund at PNE's failed promotion bid.

Mr Tuson -- the self-appointed bishop of Brig, locals' nickname for the town -- said: "We normally use a horse-drawn carriage but we used a milk float this time.

"It must have made things look even stranger to people who haven't seen it before.

"We always do it when PNE or Rovers go up or down and it is very popular.

"This weekend has been as good as any other.

"Everyone is really pleased to see Rovers back in the big time and hopefully that is the way it will stay.

"The police weren't keen on closing the road so we weren't sure we would be able to do it.

"This thing involves the whole town and without the procession it wouldn't have been as good.

"I mentioned the police in the speech and people laughed.

"They all knew what had gone on."

Mick Higgins, a member of the committee which organised the event, said: "The raising of the coffin is the main part of the weekend, but other events are held as well.

"A tug-o-war and football tournament were also organised.

"We raise money for local charities like St Catherine's Hospice.

"It is a really popular event which involves the whole community."