VICTORIA Park's grandstand could be demolished in June 2002, when the next football season has ended.

Malvern Town Council's management committee has agreed to demolish the structure, subject to available funds, after Coun Brian Pilcher said the building was an eyesore.

"We've put this question to public consultation and a small majority thought we should dismantle it," he said.

"It's time to get on with the job and not procrastinate. Let's get on with it."

Town clerk Stuart McDonough said the majority were in fact against demolition, with 189 out of 400 respondents saying they would like to see the grandstand demolished, 153 saying they would not and 64 saying they would like to see it refurbished.

"If you introduce this as a priority it will wreck the programme of works. It's contrary to your own policy. We can't keep swapping and changing priorities," he said.

The budget for improvements to the park this year had been reduced to £25,000 and demolition would cost about £8,000, in addition to the expense of making good the site, said Mr McDonough.

Coun Pilcher said he believed a decision to demolish should be made now, even if the work had to be included in next year's funding and carried out early next year.

"I'm very conscious it's not something that's going to happen overnight," he said.

An alternative option of removing the roof was suggested by Coun David Williams but did not find favour with other members.