AN army of flat cap-wearing Burnley fans will descend on the nation's capital for next week's Carling Cup fixture against Chelsea.

And it is hoped that a campaign by fans can encourage all 6,000 travelling to the game to wear flat caps as the supporters aim to take the mickey out of a Lancashire stereotype.

Tony Scholes, who runs the clarets-mad website, said: "The flat cap theme started on the web fourm and now it's really taken off.

"I know lots of people who will be wearing their flat caps for the game.

"It all came about quite soon after the fixture was announced.

"In the past, Burnley fans have often had the mick taken out of them for how they've been portrayed in the media, so this is a chance for us to get our own back."

He said that if the Clarets get a goal at Stamford Bridge the fans will celebrate by tossing their flat caps in the air.

The army of fans will be hoping to see a huge upset against Chelsea, who currently sit top of the Premier League.

Chelsea, who lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in the 2008 Carling Cup Final, are expected to field a strong side to progress into the next round.

A Burnley FC spokesman said: "We usually take around 1,000 fans to an away game, so this is a fantastic turn out.

"It's been many years since we had such a magnitude of fans who are prepared to follow the club to an away fixture."

Burnley have enjoyed a great start to their Championship campaign so far, and recent wins against Norwich and Reading have left them in an impressive fourth place in the Championship.

The Turf Moor terraces have seen some bizarre styles of late, after striker Robbie Blake inspired a 'lucky pants' trend by exposing his underwear to the fans during a celebration.

Some fans will be going the extra mile wearing a lucky pants/flat cap combo to spur their team on.

The club spokesman added: "Burnley fans always celebrate team goals well.

"The mass of support we're taking to the Carling Cup fourth round is a credit to everyone involved in the club.”

For information on club transport to Stamford Bridge call 0871 221 1914.