COUNCILLORS have asked to go on fact-finding tours of East Lancashire's top soccer grounds on match days before handing out safety certificates.

Changes in the law following the Hillsborough disaster and the Taylor report mean sports grounds have to apply for a safety certificate each year.

Draft certificates have already been drawn up for Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Preston North End and Blackpool.

And the documents are likely to be approved when the safety of sports grounds sub-committee meets on Friday.

But councillors on the sub-committee have asked about the possibility of visiting the soccer grounds on a busy match day.

The councillors have to decided to study the fixture list for the coming football season before deciding which games to attend.

They also plan to meet with club officials and supporters during the visits.

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