AMATEUR football league officials have hit out at the suggestion that small clubs could be forced to buy their own pitches and changing facilities from Chester-le-Street District Council.

The council's first report into how pitches are used in the district shows that a decline in the amateur game during the last 20 years means they have too many parks.

With an annual maintenance bill for their 19 sports pitches topping £117,000, council chiefs are considering off-loading some of them to individual clubs.

But football league bosses say none of their clubs could afford to pay to maintain their own pitches and fear a move like this could spell the end of adult amateur football in Chester-le-Street.

Alan Charlton, chairman of the Durham Alliance League, said being made to pay for the upkeep of the pitches, or buying the land from the council, would not be practical.

He said: "I don't think football has had a fair crack of the whip from local authorities in recent years.

"If this option is ever carried out I don't think the council will get a response from the clubs.

"I don't want to see football in the area go down the pan, but if this ever happens it could spell the end.

"Even if they don't have to buy the pitches, I can't really see them affording referees and groundsmen."

In the most wide-ranging study of sports facilities ever carried out in the district, report author and leisure services manager Ian Simon strongly recommends that "alternative arrangements are investigated for managing and maintaining playing pitches and associated facilities with a view to reducing the annual cost implications to the district council".

Other options to be considered include providing clubs with their own line marking machines and grass cutters for bowling greens.

Mr Simon said: "Selling the pitches is just one of a number of possible options if the council decided they wanted to reduce their costs."

Other proposals will see all changing facilities brought in line with Sports England minimum standards including disabled access and separate rooms for men and women.

The leisure services report will be presented the council's executive today where members will be asked to consider the findings.