COUNTDOWN fever is gripping Burnley as the Clarets prepare to return to the big time in 24 hours.

Pubs and firms are dusting off their Burnley FC flags, as a host of towns look to become seas of claret and blue for their Premier League debut at Stoke.

Clothing entrepreneurs, promising locally-produced merchandise, are cashing in at www.burnleylads.com.

And a fresh run of Ginger Peles, in honour of Burnley legend Billy Ingham, are set to resurface at Oddies bakery shops across East Lancashire.

Even Cha Cha’s hot food takeaway, in Yorkshire Street, just yards from Turf Moor, has adopted the colours for the new season.

Britain’s Got Talent finalist Hollie Steel, who grew up in Burnley, said she can barely contain her excitement as kick-off approaches.

Burnley Council is understood to have bought the former Derby Pub, at Gannow, with plans to decorate it for the season at a key gateway to the town.

And tonight celebrity fan Alastair Campbell’s documentary, Burnley are Back, is being shown on the BBC.

In the programme, chairman Barry Kilby talks about the battle to get the club back to the top flight, while manager Owen Coyle and Wembley goal-hero Wade Elliott talk about the devotion and adulation they get on a daily basis from Clarets fans.

George Heys, president of Burnley Chamber of Trade, has predicted a bonanza for local firms cashing in from the club’s success.

He said: “People are going to come to Burnley and they are going to want somewhere to stay, somewhere to eat and drink, and they are going to find out that it is a fantastic place.

“It is really great at the moment, the town centre is doing well and the promotion has really put a skip in everyone’s step.”

Business has been booming in the club shop as fans prepare for Saturday’s away tie with Stoke City and the first home game against league champions Manchester United.

Lisa Merrifield, shop manager, said: “We’ve never seen anything like it – I’ve gone grey with stress. We’ve trebled our business and had to extend the shop.”

The atmosphere when Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov roll into Turf Moor on Wednesday also promises to be electric.