A major roads scheme that will pave the way for Darlington's new £15m football stadium is set to be unveiled.

Multi-millionaire chairman George Reynolds said cash had already been set aside for improvements to the Neasham Road roundabout on the outskirts of the town.

A scheme has been drawn up that will see the road widened to cope with the crowds expected to flock to the 25,000-seater venue.

The stadium is limited initially to a capacity of 10,000 spectators - according to council safety guidelines - and cannot be increased without written approval.

Highways chiefs also called on the club to submit a road safety plan which has to be in place before the state-of-the-art stadium can open.

Mr Reynolds said the improvements would be complimented by a park and ride scheme, ferrying spectators from the outskirts of the town to the new stadium.

A Highways Agency spokesman welcomed the announcement, adding: "The situation would be a dangerous one if the improvements were not made and traffic had to contend with near constant gridlock outside the stadium."

Mr Reynolds said the development - begun in January this year - was "on schedule." but could not say when the stadium would finally open its doors to the region's football fans, but that an announcement would be made "in due course".

A council spokesman said: "All the planning conditions have been met and on some occasions the football club has more than met the standards required."

Plans to develop the stadium as a music and entertainment venue, Reynolds said were not yet fleshed out.

However the club is planning a spectacular opening night, to feature a big name band, fire works and possible discounts for spectators.