A LONG awaited land deal is allowing two Bishop Auckland sports clubs to make progress with exciting development plans.

Trustees for Kingsway, the 117-year-old ground that was home to the town's cricket and football clubs, have released the first money raised from the sale of the football club's share.

Bishop Auckland Cricket Club was presented with an undisclosed sum at the weekend after the sale to Sunderland company Durham Benevolence for a sheltered housing complex.

Chairman of the ground trustees Judge Harold Hewitt presented a cheque to club president George Romaines at a social night on Friday.

Cricket club officials plan to spend the money on improving facilities and providing coaching and support for young players.

Keith Hopper, former chairman and a trustee of both the club and the ground, said: "It means a tremendous amount to us.

"We need to spend money on our changing rooms and other facilities, while the development of young cricketers is a real priority.

"It is hard work raising money, as it is for all clubs, and this will allow us to do a lot."

The football club's share of the money will go towards its ambitious plans to develop an out-of-town stadium at Tindale Crescent.

Officials decided on the move more than a decade ago but a series of frustrating delays meant that they had to enter a temporary groundsharing agreement with neighbours Shildon.

Now the club has submitted a second stage planning application for the Tindale Crescent development and is waiting for the Football Foundation to approve essential grant funding.

Chairman Terry Jackson said: "We need the money from the land sale for the new ground to build a new stadium.

"We already have outline permission from the council and our detailed application has gone in for a 250-seat stand and changing rooms.

"It has taken a lot longer than we would have liked, but we hope we are getting there at last."