BURNLEY fans are taking the lead to try to boost the atmosphere inside Turf Moor. And with the backing of club officials, the Clarets could even have a specially designated singing area implemented in time for next season.

A recent poll conducted by a supporters' fans website showed overwhelming support for a singing section, and a follow-up questionnaire of 375 fans - a split of season ticket holders and non season ticket holders, resulted in a staggering 92 per cent still in favour.

Almost half of those questioned believe the section should be located in the James Hargreaves Upper, with the Jimmy McIlroy Upper a distant second most popular choice.

However interestingly, 72 per cent of those polled said they would move to a designated singing area anywhere inside the ground, alerting club chiefs, who have been keeping a close eye on the results and are now hope to have a blueprint in place early next year.

Marketing manager Edoardo Abis said: "We have watched the voting with great interest and have now approached the people running the poll because we are keen to set up a working party of people from all areas in time for the next season ticket campaign in March.

"Clearly there is support, but we need to look at the finer details because if there is to be a singing section, there may well be supporters with season tickets in the chosen section who do not wish to be involved.

"That means there are obviously the logistics of trying to find alternative seating, so there is plenty of work to do yet."

Burnley experimented with a singing section last season for the home game with Derby County, with mixed results.

However, the latest attempt to improve the atmosphere comes following recent appeals from manager Steve Cotterill to raise the roof.

And a ClaretsMad website spokesman denied the move would create an "artificial and contrived" atmosphere inside Turf Moor. "For those who think it is contrived, in some ways it is but perhaps the idea of setting up this area is just to give people a helping hand.

"It is not quite as simple as it used to be when you paid at the turnstile and made your way to the Longside. In the days of all-seater stadia that helping hand often has to be offered.

"Most of those who voted in favour pointed to the dreadful atmosphere we now have at the Turf, with some even saying that watching Burnley in the darker days was much more enjoyable than in the current sanitised and sterile atmosphere we now have to experience.

"Others have suggested that any area should be unreserved seating to allow people to get in there and sit with friends in much the same way as it used to be on the terracing, something that is very much worth considering with the ground consistently around half full."

The poll results were as follows:

Are you a season ticket holder? Yes 58.67%, no 40.80%, not specified 0.53%

For or against a designated singing area? For 92.53%, against 6.67%, not specified 0.80%

Would you move to a designated singing area? Yes 72.00%, no 22.13%, not specified 5.87%

Where should the area be? James Hargreaves Upper 48.00%, lower 13.60%, Jimmy McIlroy Upper 19.47%, Jimmy McIlroy Lower 10.93%, Bob Lord 3.20%