Darlington Football Club creditors hope the sale of its stadium and land could be completed within months - allowing them to reclaim their debt.

The Northern Echo Darlington Arena and its 25-acre site was put up for sale on the open market this week.

A spokesman for creditors, Graham Sizer and Philip Scott, believed the site is attractive with interesting planning potential.

He also confirmed the pair were looking to reclaim all their debt on the land. It was originally £1.7m but interest has pushed to more than £2m.

It would rule out a sale to Darlington FC chairman Raj Singh, who made a lower offer based on an independent valuation of the holding company's assets.

Property firm Edward Symmons was instructed to advertise the sale of stadium and land this week, two months after the holding company that owns the site was placed in receivership.

The firm has received inquiries after it advertised the sale in regional, national and trade media.

Property expert Stephen McOwan, a partner at North-East estate agents George F White, believed the land could attract retail or leisure prospects to work alongside the football club, which is two years into a 15-year lease on the site.

He added: "The ground doesn't have to remain but it would be something of a travesty for it to disappear. If it did, where would it go?"

Darlington Borough Council has given permission for a hotel and other leisure developments to be built subject to legal agreements.

A spokesman added: "We remain committed with working with the club to see a thriving league football club in Darlington."

At least two supermarket chains are believed to have contacted the club about the land.

* To read a full report, see The Northern Echo today.