A MEMORIAL service has been held for Bolton Wanderers fans, staff and players.

More than 250 friends and family who have lost loved ones connected with the club paid their respects at a service held at the Reebok Stadium.

Names in the club's Book of Remembrance were read out, including those of the 33 fans who died in the 1946 Burnden Park disaster, when a barrier collapsed at the Embankment end as Wanderers played Stoke City.

Grieving relatives and friends were able to light a candle in memory of their loved one in the Wanderers Suite.

They then made their way down to the pitch for a special blessing close to the site where the club allows supporters' ashes to be scattered. It was the second annual memorial of its kind.

Club Chaplain Rev Phil Mason said: "I think the sheer number of people here gives the answer as to why this is so important.

"I couldn't believe how many people came, but it's so important because to many of these people the club is their church, their place of worship and it is important the church is part of that and can offer this as a club."

The family of Alan Sunderland, a lifelong Bolton Wanderers fan and season ticket holder, came to pay their respects to the 53-year-old who lost his fight against liver disease last August.

His ashes are scattered just in front of the Bolton Evening News stand.

His mother, Irene, said: "The stadium was a place he loved and the service was absolutely wonderful."

His brother Colin added: "He was a lifelong fan and he had already bought his season ticket for the year he died, but unfortunately passed away before he made it to any games."

Bolton Wanderers have a memorial book and memorial stones at the main entrance to the stadium.