BLACKBURN Rovers today revealed they are putting plans to redevelop the Walkersteel Stand on hold.

They are to concentrate on building a squad capable of Premiership survival.

Ewood bosses revealed details of the ambitious redevelopment plans in June 1998 -- the year when Rovers were last in top-flight football.

Proposals included a new 15,000-seater super stand, incorporating a 100-bedroom hotel and an exhibition hall, which would have transformed Ewood into a 40,000 capacity stadium.

Forty of the deluxe bedrooms were also to have views overlooking the pitch, with the ground floor of the stand being used for exhibitions. The project was due for completion in time for the Millennium but Rovers' subsequent relegation to the Nationwide League First Division meant the scheme had to be shelved.

Today bosses at the club said the plans will only be resurrected once Rovers re-establish themselves as a Premiership force.

"At the moment, we are seeing increasing capacities across all Premiership grounds so we've got to start thinking about trying to knock up gates of 30,000-plus because that's where most of the other clubs are now finding themselves," said Rovers chief executive John Williams.

"That would then lead us into the climate of redeveloping the Riverside and so on.

"But, for the time being at least, we've decided we would rather devote all the capital that's available to the team because we think that's right. "Clearly, there's a time when, commercially, we would want to redevelop the Riverside.

"Certainly, architecturally, it would be wonderful to do and I think the portents are good if we make sure we retain our status and better.

"So I think there's a chance we'll get more fans and we'll be able to complete the redevelopment of the ground.

"Those are the plans and that's something the board and the shareholders very much want to do.

"We get a lot of letters from fans on this topic but I hope they'll understand we feel as a board that the funds we have available will be put at Graeme Souness's disposal to improve the team for next season."

Council leaders were disappointed at the news which came just weeks after hearing the town's most exclusive accommodation -- the County Hotel -- was facing demolition.

It was hoped the Rovers' development would increase the number of visitors into East Lancashire as well as increase the number of beds in the area.

Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration at the council, said although he was disappointed he could understand the club's decision and said: "I can understand Rovers concentrating on the squad first.

"Their main priority is staying up in the premiership. This itslef will plug the name of the town world wide.

"There is a need for a hotel on that side of town and there is potential for such development on the Fishmoor side. We hope that someone will take that up fairly soon especially if the County Hotel closes.

"But the number of beds in Blackburn and Darwen has increased steadily over the last two years and will continue to do so as we bring in one or two more tourism initiatives."