The East Lancashire football derby has been moved to Remembrance Sunday and many have slammed the move as “disrespectful”.

The highly anticipated game between arch rivals Blackburn Rovers and Burnley FC was meant to take place on Saturday, November 12 but it will now take place a day later with a 12pm kick-off time.

The game, which will be played at Turf Moor, will be broadcast on Sky Sports.

Football fans, former MPs and British Legion groups across the county have spoken out against the move.

Billy Allott the chairman of the Burnley and Padiham Royal British Legion branch said he has written to those involved and said he is also considering not renewing his season ticket.

He said: “Today I have emailed Sky, The F.A, The E.F.L. and many others on behalf of all veterans and relatives of those killed in action, expressing the disgust we feel by showing the Burnley vs Rovers match live on television on Remembrance Sunday.

“I have appealed to the police to ask Sky to reconsider the timing of the match on health and safety grounds.

“I have been a Claret supporter for over 60 years. If Burnley FC do nothing I shall not be renewing my season ticket in the future that's how upset and disgusted I am with both clubs and Sky.

“Over the last 12 years I have escorted our branch on every remembrance match and proud to do so.

“I am seriously now reconsidering the situation in light of this development.”

A spokesperson for the Accrington branch of the Royal British Legion said: “This kind of division should not be allowed on a day of reflection. Truly shocking.

“My grandfather supported Blackburn, your grandfather supported Burnley, they both fought alongside each other during the war.

“Sky think it's great to make them rivals on remembrance Sunday.”

Graham Jones, former MP for Haslingden and Hyndburn said the move is “ill considered”.

He said: “East Lancashire has a proud connection with our armed forces.

“It also has a proud footballing history. Rovers and Burnley are founding members of the Football League.

“I’ll be writing to the clubs and to Sky raising these points.”

Clarets Trust, an independent group which represents fans, called it a “disrespectful and ill-conceived”.

A Burnley fan called the move “a disgrace” on Twitter and another fan said it was “disrespectful to veterans”.

A Sky Sports spokesperson said: “As with all fixture changes, the kick-off time for Burnley v Blackburn Rovers was considered and approved by all parties including both clubs, the EFL and local police.

"Time will be taken at the match to give those in attendance the chance to pay their respects to servicemen and women affected by wars past and present, as has been done in previous matches played at this time for many years.”

A Blackburn Rovers spokesperson said: “As part of the broadcast agreement between Sky Sports and the EFL, all fixtures are subject to change, in line with the required notice period for supporters.

"The kick-off time was chosen by Sky Sports to fit with their broadcasting schedule for that day, whilst also taking into account the policing of this particular fixture. To honour the bravery of those currently serving in the UK’s Armed Forces and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in conflict, Blackburn Rovers will stage its own Remembrance commemorations when we host Huddersfield Town at Ewood Park on Saturday November 5th and the club will fully support the tributes held at Turf Moor when we play Burnley on Remembrance Sunday.”

Burnley FC has been approached for comment.