DEMOLITION work on a dilapidated football stadium is expected to begin today.

Feethams, the former home of Darlington Football Club, has descended into disrepair since 2003, when the club moved to its new Neasham Road base. Since then, it has been subject to vandalism and arson attacks.

The stadium's fate was sealed last month when Darlington Borough Council was forced to serve a demolition notice, after site inspections revealed it posed a risk to public safety.

Since then, despite pleas from fans for action to preserve Feethams, officials have maintained that demolition -estimated to cost £200,000 -was inevitable.

The need for work to get under way was confirmed last month, when vandals set fire to the West Stand, causing significant damage.

The stand was cleared after the arson attack, leaving only the frame.

Work to dismantle the stadium is expected to get under way this morning when bulldozers roll into the site, which has been surrounded by metal fences for the past few days to prevent access.

Brian Johnson, chairman of Darlington Cricket Field Trust, which owns the Feethams site, last night confirmed the work would start.

The demolition work is expected to be finished soon.