Darlington FC chairman George Reynolds hopes to have pop legends the Bee Gees on hand to help celebrate the opening of the club's new stadium.

And the 70s chart toppers, famous for such hits as Stayin' Alive and Tragedy, could lead the way for other top name stars to perform concerts at the 25,000 seat stadium.

However, Mr Reynolds must first overcome red tape currently stopping him from using the ground as a concert venue.

One of the conditions placed on the stadium when planning permission was granted in 2000 specifically prohibited such a use.

But Mr Reynolds, who hopes to have the ground open by the end of the year, said he intends to play by the rules and apply for permission before staging any concerts.

"Yes, we will put concerts on if we are allowed planning permission," he said, adding if planners rejected his bid for a variation to the condition he would not put on concerts.

"We hope to get everything going, if we can, to make things stable. Things have changed with the digital money going down. All the clubs round the country are fetching in different revenue."

Residents would likely object to a variation on the conditions, and Darlington Borough Council said its planning applications committee would take all matters into account when coming to a decision.

Darlington council leader John Williams declined to comment on the matter because he sits on the authority's planning committee, which will have to consider any such applications to stage pop concerts.

However, John Buxton, director of development and environment, said: "The council has clearly stated in the planning permission granted to Darlington Football Club that concerts/music will not be permitted.

"If an application is submitted to vary these clauses, the planning applications committee would clearly take proper account of why the clauses were included in the first instance, as well as consider any information provided by an applicant, objectors and other representations when coming to a decision."

Local resident Janet Mazurk, who was a member of the Neasham Road Action Group which originally objected to the plans, said: "Local people will ensure that the council abides by the planning conditions that were set out at the time that the council granted planning permission.

"We feel very strongly."