DIVINE intervention could save Blackburn Rovers from relegation tonight - if an evangelist's prayers are answered.

Visiting preacher Luis Palau has gone straight to the top in his bid to keep Rovers in the Premiership.

And Mr Palau has a special reason for seeking spiritual help to defeat Manchester United - he is a fan of championship rivals Arsenal!

Brian Kidd's side must win at Ewood Park tonight to have any chance of staying up.

The American evangelist said he had been an Arsenal supporter since he was a child in Argentina and would love to see them pip Manchester United to the title.

Mr Palau, from Oregon, said his special prayers during a dinner with local businessmen and media representatives, including Peter Butterfield, editor of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

But Mr Palau will have to wait to find out if his prayers have been answered as he will be preaching the gospel during the match at his first major event in East Lancashire.

Sixties pop star John Gaughan, of Herman's Hermits, will also sing and speak about his life at the event at King George's Hall, Blackburn, from 7.30pm tonight.

Luis Palau will also preach tomorrow night at King George's Hall with guest speaker Noel Fellows, an ex-policeman who was convicted of murder and later freed on appeal.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.