VAUXHALL Motors have scrapped plans for a new grandstand at their Rivacre Park home.

The club was granted planning permission for the 500-seat stand by the borough council last year but they have had a rethink after discovering they are not entitled to as much Football Foundation funding as they thought.

Motors officials are now looking at two alternatives.

Chairman Alan Bartlam said: 'We could refurbish our original stand and turn it into a more modern structure. This would not require any planning permission but we are also waiting for quotes on a plan to lift the roof of the stand to allow us to fit in more seats.'

Vauxhall Motors Sports and Social Club is asking the council for permission to increase the height of its existing grandstand to 7m.

The council report explains: 'It has been decided to adapt the existing grandstand on the south west side of the pitch to house the necessary seats.

'It will raise the stand's roof from 5m to 7m. The extension will be finished in materials to match the existing stand.'

But because the ground is in the green belt, the scheme must now go to the Secretary of State for the Environment for final approval.

* New floodlights have been erected at Rivacre Park and are due to be tested tomorrow. The club hopes to use them on Tuesday for the visit of Blyth Spartans.