PUBS in Blackburn are being warned not to open early on derby day.

A huge police opera-tion is gathering pace to ensure the Blackburn Rovers versus Burnley game on Sunday, October 18 passes peaceully off the pitch.

Clarets fans have already been prevented from travelling to Ewood Park individually and Lancashire Constabulary chiefs have requested town centre pubs only open at lunchtime.

Letters have been sent to licensees and some pubs have been visited by officers urging them to only open at 12.30pm.

Licensing officer for Blackburn, Steve Finley, said there will be strict sanctions for any prem-ises found to be allowing drinkers in early.

PC Finley said: “A lot of the pubs are showing the game on Sky TV and want to do so in peace.

"The vast majority of licensees co-operate and have a good relationship with us.

"They have door staff on who instigate a home fans only policy on match days.

"However, if any are caught out, it will be a breach of their licensing conditions, which could result in six months prison sentence or a £20,000 fine.”

PC Finley said the message would be reinforced in the build-up to the fixture and pubs with a history of dis-order could even risk closure orders should they go against police advice.

Duty manager Ian Rylance, at the Wetherspoons Postal Order said it would not be showing the game, but would still heed police advice by opening at 12.30pm.

The Adelphi and the Last Orders both confirmed that they were showing the game live, but would adhere to the guidance and open at 12.30pm with door staff for extra security.

Victoria Price, licensee of the Jubilee, said: “We don’t have Sky, but we’ll be opening at 12.30pm like everyone else after getting a letter from police."