PLANS for football clubs to return to Green Lane playing fields in Devizes have taken a major step forward.

Devizes Town Council's deputy clerk Simon Fisher believes that after many years of trying to sort out funding for the land there is now a good chance of progress.

He told members of the recreation and properties committee that a positive meeting had been held with the youth committee of Devizes Football Club.

He said: "They are keen to work with us to upgrade the facilities at Green Lane. Their priority is not so much for changing rooms but for the land to be properly drained and for a 3G pitch to be created."

He said the Football Foundation was also keen to be involved and a second meeting was planned in March with the town's senior club which Devizes MP Claire Perry is to attend.

Youth football club chairman Nathan Sheridan appealed for help to find more space for his 300 young members to play at the end of last year. At the time he said: "The main club has been in discussions about relocating for several years now but nothing has happened. Our own facilities for the youth organisation at Devizes is very poor and extremely dangerous for children to train and play football on."

Senior club chairman Shaun Moffatt said he too was optimistic that there was a chance of doing a deal over Green Lane. He said: "It looks at long last that we are going in the right direction. We are looking forward to our meeting."

Plans for the Devizes Town ground in Nursteed Road to be sold to a housing developer for up to 60 homes have been in the pipeline for many years but each time the scheme appears to be gaining momentum it has hit a stumbling block.

Mr Moffatt said he was keen for youth and the main club to carry on working together.

The Green Lane pitches have been out of use for several years because of the drainage issue.