MORECAMBE Football Club is set to start work on a new stand at Christie Park following a massive £200,000 cash boost from the council. The council loan, plus a £250,000 grant from the Football Trust, means the Shrimps will be fit and ready to gain entry to the Football League if they top the table this season. The new £550,000 stand will cater for 3,000 standing spectators. Work will start in September and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The council see the Shrimps as juicy bait to entice tourists. The authority plans to take advantage of the publicity generated after each fixture by distributing special packages throughout away match towns and visiting clubs.

Conference clubs and officials will also be encouraged to turn their visit to Morecambe into a holiday break.

Council leader Stanley Henig, who revealed that this was the biggest loan of its kind ever made by the authority, said: "The city council's target is to see Morecambe established in the Football League by the end of this season."

Shrimps chairman Rod Taylor said: "The council's loan is probably the biggest investment ever in the club and is an integral part of the resort's overall regeneration."

The loan will be repaid over the next 10 years and the club directors have each given personal guarantees of £25,000. Economic development chairman, Councillor Jean Yates, said this could be the start of more local development and job opportunities.

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