A FOOTBALL fan is asking for help in his bid to make the colours of his beloved Blackburn Rovers a familiar sight on the streets - in Gambia!

Ian Wiggans, who is a regular visitor to the country, said he was fed up with seeing beach sellers and locals all wearing rivals’ kits.

Over the past eight years, Ian, of Oakdale in Blackburn, and his family have visited the West African country and on each occasion they have taken some Blackburn Rovers memorabilia over.

Ewood season ticket holder Ian has just returned having kitted out an entire village football team with a football strip previously worn by Blackburn Rovers Ladies team.

And he said he now hopes for more donations before another upcoming trip.

Ian, who works as an ultrasonic tester on railway lines, said: “We are off to Gambia on March 9 and we are hoping to take a lot more Blackburn Rovers kits out with us again.

“This time though we have a private sponsor who is funding the extra baggage we will be taking as we are hoping the kind people of Blackburn will be able to assist us in donating any old Rovers kits they no longer need."

“I am hoping to kit out another football team or two and more of the beach workers so that the sand mentioned in holiday brochures will be described as blue and white instead of golden!”

Bosses at Rovers have allowed people to donate shirts by dropping them off at the Roverstore at Ewood Park.

Ian said he will be making a documentary while on his upcoming trip so the people of Gambia can thank the people of Blackburn.

The kits, which must be washed, can be dropped off at the club shop at any time up until February 28.