PIE power is gripping East Lancashire as Holland's launches a new poster campaign amid World Cup fever.

Giant billboard adverts featuring international referee David Elleray munching on a meat and potato pie have been pasted up to celebrate football fans' favourite food.

The humorous posters show the ref substituting his whistle for a meat pie under the banner "Blow, ref, blow". The pie was recently voted top match snack by fans across the country.

The Baxenden company has also enlisted former England hero and local legend John Connelly to help show off their new Pie Sports campaign.

John, who lives in Barrowford, was a member of the winning 1966 World Cup squad and now runs his own chippy in Brierfield.

He said: "I opened Connelly's Plaice 25 years ago and know from my customers that Holland's Pies are as much a part of football culture as terrace chants.

"I'm delighted to launch their poster campaign - although I must say a giant David Elleray is rather an intimidating sight for any footballer."

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