Blackburn Rovers' premiership status will officially be declared dead and buried when a bizarre ritual is staged in Bamber Bridge this weekend.

Hundreds of people are expected in the town to watch a coffin, dedicated in the memory of Rovers' ill-fated Premiership campaign, lowered into the ground in front of the Trades Hall in Station Road.

Before 'burial', the coffin will be paraded around the town centre, flanked by dozens of 'nuns, priests and bishops', after being removed from the Top House pub, where it is currently 'lying in state'!

The unique ceremony, which dates back to 1948, is performed whenever either Blackburn Rovers or Preston North End are promoted or relegated.

And while many people would think such a public 'funeral' would be a very sombre affair, members of the funeral committee are promising a day to remember. Tom Hanson, a local councillor who also sits on the committee, said: "This event always attracts a crowd.

"A procession of 14 floats, headed by the coffin, will parade around town before being lowered reverently into the ground in front of the Trades Hall."

But for any mourners who are unable to attend on Saturday, there is another opportunity for them to pay their last respects.

Coun Hanson added: "The coffin is lying in state inside the Top House pub, complete with a 'body' and covered lilies. Everything is done in the best possible taste. "The coffin will never be seen again until Rovers are relegated, or promoted, again."

Bamber Bridge last hosted such an event in 1996 when Preston North End were promoted to the Second Division.

Fans of the club were so impressed by the day that they decided to re-name their fanzine after the event, calling it Raising the Coffin!

Saturday's event kicks off at 1.30pm outside the Queen's Hotel, on Church Road.

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