BOLTON'S new mayor, Cllr Alan Wilkinson, is hoping to have a double celebration today.

Just hours after Cllr Wilkinson takes on the chains of office in a special ceremony at Bolton Town Hall he will be cheering on Wanderers in their crucial play-off match.

Even during the ceremony the avid football fan's thoughts will be turning to his favourite team.

"In the speech I am going to make I will say I have four wishes for Bolton this year. One of them is that Premiership football will return to the Reebok," he said. "All our wishes will be going with them."

Cllr Wilkinson admitted he is disappointed he will be unable to travel to Ipswich for today's match.

He was at the Reebok on Sunday for the first, heart-stopping play-off leg but plans to slip out regularly from his mayoral celebrations with family and friends at the Last Drop to check the latest score.

It will be a nerve-wracking time for Bolton comedian Stu Francis, who is keeping his diary clear just in case Wanderers get to the play off final at Wembley.

He was at the Reebok on Sunday and admits he came away "shell shocked" after Wanderers threw away their lead to end up with a draw.

"Never mind, we lived to fight another day," he said.

He will be travelling to Ipswich for the match tonight.

"Another day of nail biting," he added. "It has been real rollercoaster season."

He is also hoping his journey home will be more pleasurable that his most recent trip to Wembley when he witnessed his favourite team go out of the FA Cup semi-finals. "That was a hell of a long journey home," he said.

But he is hopeful that the country's biggest clubs will soon be coming back to Bolton.

"The town and the stadium deserve a Premiership platform," he added.

Bolton's three MPs Brian Iddon, David Crausby and Ruth Kelly will have to follow the progress of Wanderers from the House of Commons.

But according to Dr Iddon the Bolton contingent have a secret weapon in the form of Labour Chief Whip Ann Taylor.

Mrs Taylor is a former Bolton MP and remains an enthusiastic Wanderers' supporter.

"If she is around she will be listening to the radio, keeping us informed and jumping up and down in the lobby," laughed Dr Iddon.