The Blues ended the last campaign bottom of the table, with just five wins to their name.

However they have been spared the drop, after the Vodkat League Management Committee declared that the top flight should return to a full complement of 22 clubs.

The decision also sees Atherton LR, who finished just above Nelson, also spared relegation, while Ashton Athletic, who finished third in the Second Division, have been handed promotion alongside champions AFC Fylde – formerly Kirkham and Wesham – and New Mills.

And the league also includes Alsager Town, who were relegated from the UniBond League due to FA ground grading requirements.

Meanwhile, Colne have learned their fate for the opening rounds of both the FA Cup and FA Vase.

The Reds will host Daisy Hill in the FA Cup extra preliminary round, scheduled for August 16th, with a trip to either Formby or AFC Emley awaiting the winners on August 30th.

And in the FA Vase, Colne, who enter this year at the first qualifying round stage, will entertain Darwen in a local derby on September 6th, ahead of a possible trip to Holker Old Boys in the second qualifying round on September 20th.

Nelson have not entered either competition for the 2008/09 season.