A HERO'S welcome beckons for North End's championship-winning players -- on Sunday, May 7 when the town centre will become a sea of white shirts as the crowds flock to celebrate the club's achievement.

The players will leave at 11.30am on an open-top bus which will weave its way to the Flag market via Sir Tom Finney Way, Deepdale Road, Ribbleton Lane and Ringway.

Players and officials will meet Deputy Mayor Rose Kinsella on the steps of the Harris Museum before the councillor, an avid PNE fan, addresses the crowd.

Chairman Bryan Gray and team manager David Moyes will both give speeches before joining in the celebrations.

Council leader Peter Rankin said: "We need to do it then because the team go on holiday on Tuesday. It should be a wonderful day for everyone."

May 7 may be the day for the official celebrations, but champagne corks started popping as soon as Monday's results filtered through to fans. An impromptu party of more than 600 rain-soaked fans took place in Lowthorpe Road, outside North End's ground, that evening as they waited to congratulate the team. When the team bus arrived, players mingled with fans, before a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday was sung to manager Moyes.

The boss said: "This is the best day of my life; a marvellous moment for us all -- history in the making."

Chairman Gray, who joined the street party, added: "Who knows where we can go from here? Now I would like to take us into the Premiership."

And Saturday's home game against Millwall, while just a formality for North End, is expected to be a sell-out as fans celebrate their team's triumph.

Preston Mayor Geoff Swarbrick won't be able to make the flag market party. He will be visiting the town's twin, Nimes, on the day. "I am sure the Preston celebrations will be a fantastic occasion and I am disappointed I can't be there," he said.