Premier League rivals Bolton Wanderers are launching a community initiative to bring in more supporters to the Reebok Stadium... but in Blackburn! Rovers have slashed prices in recent years to try and bring in bigger crowds, making their season tickets among the cheapest in the league, reports the Lancashire telegraph.

But Wanderers are now set to give tickets away for free to deserving members of the Blackburn public.

Bolton marketing executive Sarah Morris explained it was not a commercial ploy, but a reward for Blackburn's "community champions".

Ms Morris said: "We are looking to work with different local media to give these tickets away to worthy people, by asking readers to nominate community champions. We're leaving it quite open. It can be nurses or carers, for example."

Blackburn MP and Rovers fan Jack Straw joked: "I think we need the Football Association to investigate!

"This smacks of desperation and shows a curious naivety.

"Most Rovers fans would be hard pressed to go to the Reebok as a supporter even if they were paid money.

"The next thing will be Burnley trying that trick!

"In all seriousness, it's a good community initiative."