BIRMINGHAM Solihull RFC are still waiting for a decision from the RFU which could bring forward their move to Redditch.

The National One side are planning to sell their Sharman's Cross Road ground in Solihull to finance a move to a redeveloped stadium at the Portway.

The Bees have targeted the former home of Birmingham RFC because of a lack of space to develop their traditional base.

Sharman's Cross tenants Solihull have already moved to the Portway and the Bees were initially planning to follow suit for the start of the 2004-05 season.

But the club, who have become the biggest in Birmingham after Moseley's relegation from National One last season, are negotiating a major sponsorship deal with Pertemps.

They have asked the RFU for permission to change their name to the Pertemps Bees for the new season.

If the RFU acquiesces, as it did with the NEC Harlequins, the resulting sponsorship money could finance a switch to the Portway a year earlier than planned because Birmingham Solihull would not be dependant on the money raised from the sale of Sharman's Cross Road.

Officials at the nomadic club estimate they could draw crowds of up to 7,000 to the Portway if they can succeed where neighbours Worcester have repeatedly failed and break into the Zurich Premiership.

The Bees would be by far the biggest club in the Redditch area ahead of Kings Norton's new tenants Dixonians, who will be playing in Midlands Three next season.