AMATEUR footballers were today warned they would be banned from council football pitches if they didn't stop swearing.

Council bosses are working with referees to stamp out foul language following complaints from people using Blackburn with Darwen's parks -- and other local councils could follow.

Teachers unions -- currently calling for professionals to ditch swearing on the field because pupils are copying their idols -- today backed the council's stance, as did referees.

The move comes after complaints from people using Pleasington playing fields, Blackburn, and Blacksnape Playing Fields, Darwen, who said the 'strong language' drifting on the wind from football matches was upsetting.

Coun Dorothy Walsh, executive member for culture, leisure and sport at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Our parks are for everyone to enjoy and foul language from footballers won't be tolerated. I don't care how into the game they are.

If it happens again and again the offending teams will be banned from using our pitches. It is the only way."

Neil Yates, from Blackburn Referees Association, said: "The use of bad language is a problem for us, and the council's stance here is a very welcome one.

"Repeat offenders would find themselves being investigated by the Lancashire Football Association anyway but the council's line should help focus minds.

"The football rules have changed in recent years so that a player will only get sent off if they run up to someone and hit them with a series of four letter words.

"But people walking through Pleasington on the way to lay flowers at the cemetery have a right not to hear a swearing all the time."

Jason Whalley, who manages Lower Darwen FC in Division Four of Blackburn and District Sunday League, disagreed and said: "I think the council is trying to crack a nut with a sledgehammer.

"Swearing isn't on but football is a passionate game and it will creep in. It is up to the referee to deal with it and keep control of the game. I think the council would be better off looking at improving the state of the pitches so it provides value for money rather than tarring all players with the same brush."

Teaching unions want TV images of players like Wayne Rooney screaming abuse on the pitch to be banned until after the 9pm watershed.

A spokesman for Secondary Heads Association, which is leading the calls, said: "Action like this by a council sets an example. It tells people what sort of behaviour is acceptable and we welcome it."

Former Blackburn Rovers captain Colin Hendry, now manager at Blackpool, is also calling for all footballers to set an example.

Speaking after his team's ill-tempered win over Walsall at the weekend, he said: "It isn't just a matter for players at the higher levels of the game, or just professionals. It is for all players, even amateur ones, to set the right example to youngsters."

John Heap, Ribble Valley Council's director of community services, said: "We don't have a policy banning swearing on our football pitches, but write into the rules of any tournament we organise for young people that foul or abusive language will not be tolerated."

Hyndburn Council said it had not received complaints.

Pendle Borough Council's sports and recreation officer Joseph Cooney said: "It does concern us when people are swearing in parks and open spaces and you've got kids and families around but as yet we have no official policy.

"Blackburn with Darwen's policy is probably something we will look at."