Wanderers fans stepped out into the spring sunshine with bright faces and beaming smiles on Friday -- to join the Bolton Evening News "Keep the Whites Up" campaign.

We launched our campaign to rally support for Bolton Wanderers as the team enter the crucial phase of their battle to stay in the Premiership.

And fans responded by going out on to the streets in their replica kits and carrying copies of our free poster declaring: "We're Backing the Super Whites."

Fans were also snapping up tickets for Monday night's match against Tottenham Hotspur at the Reebok stadium.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, a lifelong Wanderers supporter, said: "I think it's tremendous that the Bolton Evening News is running this campaign. I hope Bolton people will get behind the team, because another season in the Premiership will do wonders for the town."

Wanderers appear to have hit form at just the right time in their battle to avoind relegationn from football's top flight.

But their efforts must be matched with a level of support that shows Bolton means business.

Louise Hart, aged 23, of Morris Green, is one fan who will definitely be cheering on the Whites.

She said: "It goes without saying that we've got to stay up. I'm sure we can do it."

Her boyfriend Robert Gray, aged 19, said: "It would be great for the people of Bolton if their team stayed up, but everyone needs to get behind them so they can do it." Town centre balloon salesman Spencer Winterbottom, from Farnworth, said: "I'm sure they can stay up. Another season in the Premiership is just what Bolton needs."

Lorry driver Malcolm Sadikeen, from Lostock, said: "It's great that the Bolton Evening News is urging people to support the club. People need to go to the remaining games and give the team all their support."

Fans supporting our campaign have flocked to the Wanderers' retail outlet in the Market Place to buy tickets and merchandise.

Manager Lynn Barker said: "The Wanderers deserve to stay up -- but people really do need to get behind this campaign."