Ludlow Town Football Club's future is secured

The future of Ludlow Town Football Club has been secured after a £350,000 deal was struck to sell land behind the stadium.

The decision to spend the cash on land behind the club's SBS Stadium, off Bromfield Road, was ratified by Shropshire Council's cabinet yesterday.

Councillors were told the deal would "preserve the continuation of the club for the benefit of the community".

It is believed the land could be used in the future for sheltered housing for the elderly in the area, although no decisions have yet been taken. No-one from the club was available for comment today.

Martin Taylor-Smith, a member of Shropshire Council's cabinet and member for Ludlow South, said: "Firstly we wanted to secure the land for potential care facilities and secondly this will help the finances of the football club.

"The council has a PFI (Private Finance Initiative) for care homes and we are looking for sites. There is no guarantee this site will be used but it's a potential site for sheltered housing."