BOLTON Wanderers' army of mini-fans have welcomed the club's efforts to help them see their heroes in action at Burnden Park.

But some of the teeny followers say a foot high step - provided by the club to help the little ones see over the fence and advertising hoardings - is still not high enough.

At the beginning of the season, safety-conscious officials at Burnden Park installed a raised platform for young supporters so that they could outlaw the dangerous habit of children sitting on top of the fence.

But some of young fans say the wooden platform is not high enough. And they say they cannot move further back, because their view of the pitch would then be obstructed by adults.

After missing much of the action in Bolton's stunning 6-1 drubbing of Grimsby on Tuesday, Kathryn Holt, aged eight, said that when she stood on the step on her tip-toes all she could see was the top of the opposite terrace.

Kathryn, from Heaton, said: "It's unfair. Because I'm small I can't see."

Warning notices along the inside of the advertising boards warns: "Please note the Burnden Park Safety Certificate forbids the act of sitting on the fence."

But Burnden Terrace season-ticket holder, Tom Benson, aged 11, said that even when he was standing on the platform, he could only just see over.

Sue Matthews, of Bromley Cross, who bought her son Joshua a £144 Burnden Terrace season ticket, said that if she complied with the warnings six-year-old Joshua could no longer see his heroes.

She said: "We should have been told about it before the season."

A deputy supervisor at Burnden said the danger caused by young supporters sitting on the fence had always been a problem.

Wanderers chief executive Des McBain said the safety of young fans was paramount. But he said if any parents were not already aware of the arrangement, season-tickets could be exchanged to gain entry into the seated Great Lever stand.

Burnden Park Safety Officer Colin Sumner said the height of the step could not be raised because of building regulations, but added: "I appreciate some youngsters will not be able to see."

But Mr Sumner said he was sure next season's all-seater stadium at Horwich would solve the problem once and for all. In the meantime, the trial platform which currently runs along only half of the terrace may be extended this season to help more children see the action.

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