A PETITION containing 1,400 names in support of a local football club has been presented to Malvern Hills District Council.

It was started by Newtown Sports Junior FC as part of its campaign to move to playing fields off Sling Lane.

MHDC's executive committee, which meets on May 24, will be asked to rule on whether the council should withdraw its offer for the land.

Last July, the council decided to offer the land to the club, which has outgrown its current site off Lower Howsell Road.

But earlier this year, people living near the Sling Lane field started getting worried about the club's plans, sending the council more than 100 letters of objection.

Last month, council leader Tom Wells told the club the offer was being withdrawn.

Simon Elmes, the club's FA co-ordinator, said: "It's not just the club's members who have signed this. We spent a weekend outside Morrisons with the forms and we had a lot of support.

"People who've got nothing to do with the club, but appreciate what we do, were signing."

Coun Clive Smith, who leads the council's community health and well-being projects, said: "We welcome the petition. It's a sign of how deep the feeling is in Malvern for sports facilities for youngsters."

He said the council was fully committed to helping Newtown Sports in its quest for a new home.

The council is also proposing the creation of a football forum which will bring together clubs, residents and local authorities to resolve future disputes more smoothly.