A GROUP has stepped in with the first formal bid for Lionel Newton's majority shareholding at Kidderminster Harriers.

Current vice-chairman Bar-ry Norgrove and retired businessman Neil Savery are leading the consortium who want to put an end to the uncertainty over the club's future.

As well as taking over Newton's shares for £1, they have offered an immediate £300,000 injection into the club and another £100,000 over the next two years.

Club chairman Colin Youngjohns said neither he nor ex-chief Dave Reynolds, who Newton refuses to do business with, are involved with the consortium.

Worcestershire-based Savery, whose late father Eric and brother Mike were former Kidderminster chairmen, is a life-long supporter who attends most home and away games with his wife Jean.

In a statement, the group said: "The consortium has, through its solicitors, stres-sed to Mr Newton and his advisers the urgency with which this matter has to be resolved, as the very future of the club depends on it."