DELIGHTED Wanderers fans are celebrating after the team clinched promotion back to the Championship.

More than 22,000 fans packed in to the Macron to cheer the players to promotion and the result was never really in doubt.

Jem Karacan put the Whites ahead halfway through the first-half and there was no looking back.

The Whites eventually ran out 3-0 winners and thousands of supporters invaded the pitch on the full-time whistle to celebrate.

The fans were in fine voice throughout the afternoon and enjoyed the celebrations on the pitch with flares also being set off.

Supporters had rushed on to the pitch once already with some thinking they had heard the full-time whistle in stoppage time.

They were quickly cleared off the pitch before running again as the full-time whistle blew.

Once the fans had returned to their seats the players returned to collect their medals and took part in a lap of appreciation and were warmly received by the fans, who headed off to continue celebrating.

Before the match fans were apprehensive but optimistic with many predicting that the Wanderers would grab the three points.

From the minute the players game on to the pitch, the fans were in fine voice with several renditions of 'Whites are Going up' and 'Wanderers' with players including Gary Madine, David Wheater and Adam Le Fondre also being serenaded with their own personal songs.

The fans supported the team vocally throughout the match but the volume went up a level after the second and third goals as they got the party started.

Ivan Klasnic's name was also loudly sang as the former striker sat in the stands and also came on to the pitch at half-time as he awaits a third life-saving kidney transplant.

Whites' legend Kevin Davies was also among those in attendance for the big match.

Husband and wife Paul and Carol Lowe, from Egerton, were sat in the South Stand and were enjoying the celebrations.

Mr Lowe said: "It feels absolutely fantastic. The fans have definitely played their part this season. We're off to the pub tonight to celebrate."

Lifelong Whites fans Susan and John Clarke, from Harwood, were also at the Macron and enjoyed the win.

Mrs Clarke said: "It's fantastic. I was a bit apprehensive before the match. They did well today. I'm really proud."

As well as the supporters celebrating in the ground, many packed in to bars around Bolton, including Hogarths in Churchgate, to cheer the team over the line.

Neil Perkins, from Sharples, was just one fan watching there, he said: "I said before the game it will be a nervy 2-1 win or something like that because Wanderers don't ever make it easy for themselves.

"But we actually played well today from the first minute and it was never really in doubt. It was much less nerve-wracking than I had predicted. Onwards and upwards."

Philip Derbyshire, from Astley Bridge, had also headed to the Macron for the match, he said: "It's great. It's been sixteen years since a promotion. I suppose a lot of the fans who went on the pitch won't be old enough to remember.

"It's good to be back in the Championship where they can hopefully push on."

It is the first time the team has been promoted since beating Preston in 2001.