PLANS for a new football stadium in Tilbury have been announced - potentially securing the long-term future of the town's 108-year-old football club.

The project is a collaboration between Tilbury Football Club, the Gateway Academy and Montana Property Development.

They want to build the new ground, then develop the club's existing Chadfields stadium and training ground site.

The new stadium, would initially have 1,000 seats, with room for a second stand to be added later.

The development would form part of the academy's long-term plan to become a major sports college.

Tilbury-based Montana Property Development hopes to build 500 homes on the Chadfields site.

In the application to Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, academy principal Kevin Sadler explains the plans.

His statement reads: "The stadium has been designed to complement existing sporting facilities at the academy.

"This provision would provide a facility which is second to none, and much sought after in the area.

"A sound business case has been drawn up and a local building firm identified which is happy to undertake the project."

Tilbury FC secretary Mark Southgate said: "The management at Tilbury is excited at the now very real, prospect of continuing through the coming century with the use of a ground which offers modern accommodation and up-to-date sporting and spectator facilities.

"The stadium design is modern, with a main stand seating 1,000 people, similar to those being built for Colchester United next season.

"It is a very exciting prospect for Tilbury FC and offers the possibility for the club to plan positively for the future."