A MAJOR East Lancashire employer is backing a community-based bid to buy Blackburn Rovers.

Senator International, which employs more than 1,000 people at its Hyndburn headquarters, is backing the Blackburn Rovers Supporters Investment Trust.

Colin Mustoe, founder and chairman of the office furniture giant, has offered to help the campaign.

He said: “I am delighted to support an initiative that will bring Blackburn Rovers into the ownership of the supporters and the community.

“I have had a corporate box at Rovers since 1993 and decided not to renew it this year but still go to all the home matches.

“As a prominent employer and manufacturer proud to be based in Lancashire I am happy to lend whatever support I can to the bid.”

BRSIT is the brainchild of Wayne Wild, director of engineering company WEC Group, and Sweden-based American finance professional Dan Grabko.

Mr Wild said: “Having the public backing of a highly respected businessman like Colin will bring other firms out in support as well.”

The trust is building up a database of 'shareholders'.