BLACKBURN Rovers has severed links with its accountant after more than 100 years - and replaced it with a ‘Big 4’ firm.

Bosses at Rovers owner Venky’s have handed control of auditing to giant KPMG, severing ties with historic Blackburn company PM+M.

The move is the latest change in the club’s business dealings following the controversial departure of long-standing chairman John Williams earlier this year.

KPMG is known as one of the UK’s ‘Big Four’ accountants.

Richard Ainscough, partner at PM+M, said: “When a company is acquired, it is quite normal for the auditor of the acquiring company to be appointed.

"Naturally, we are sorry to see the account go, especially because they have been us for more than a century.

"The club has always been extremely professionally run and we have no doubt this will continue.

"We wish the club all the very best for the future."

SInce Indian firm Venky’s completed a £23million takeover of Rovers in November last year, bosses have begun implementing changes.

In December, manager Sam Allardyce was fired and replaced by Steve Kean.

Two Venky’s representatives, Gandhi Babu and Mahesh Gupta, were installed on the Rovers board in January before Mr Williams quit after 13 years at Ewood Park.

Today Venky’s were unavailable for comment.

A KPMG spokeswoman confirmed the accountant’s Preston office had been hired as Rovers’ auditor.

The accountancy firm’s clients include aerospace giants BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, and Blackburn-based technology business Promethean.