Darlington Football Club is hoping to turn four acres of land next to the Williamson Motors Stadium into a training ground.

Plans are being finalised for the floodlit facility, which would include three training pitches and a pavilion. Two of the pitches would be grass, while the other would have an all-weather surface.

The land, to the east of the stadium, is accessible from the main car park, with access also available directly from the A66.

Chief executive Andy Battison said: "The team currently trains in Durham, but it makes a lot of sense to use land we already own next to the stadium so that we are bringing everything on to the one site and keeping things in Darlington."

The club has commissioned local solicitors' firm, Blackett Hart and Pratt, to handle the planning application to Darlington Borough Council, and initial discussions have been held with the local authority.

Quakers' manager David Hodgson said: "We already know that having a quality home venue is brilliant for the lads, and it gives us a huge psychological lift to arrive here on match days.

"So, I hope that by having our own purpose-built training ground on site, it will not only make life easier by removing the need to commute, but also give the players a boost on training days as well."

A spokesman for the club also said that discussions about the future of the club's former home, Feethams, were still ongoing.