VAUXHALL Motors have started work on a 250-seater grandstand which will secure their Conference North status, writes Gary Porter.

The Rivacre Park club expect the £175,000 stand to be completed by the end of March.

They will be using cash left over from their famous FA Cup run in 2002 as well as funding from the Football Foundation to pay for the improvements.

In order to meet the ground facility requirements laid down by the Conference North, all clubs must have a seating area for at least 250 supporters. Failure to comply with these regulations by April 1 would result in the Motormen losing their status in the division.

Vauxhall chairman Alan Bartlam said: 'We're hoping it will be done and dusted by the end of March. We've got the structure in place and its just a case of ripping the insides out and starting again.

'We've been sitting on the money ring-fenced from the cup run and the Football Foundation are providing £84,000.

'The work will enable us to meet the Grade C requirements put down by the Conference North. By April 2008 we must achieve a Grade B.

'That means putting in extra toilet facilities and turnstiles. We've already upgraded the floodlights.'

The current seating area at Rivacre Park, which will be replaced by the new stand, was closed by Cheshire Trading Standards in October after being declared unsafe.