BAMBER Bridge football club has just completed the quarter of a million pound development of their Irongate ground.

The 506-capacity all-seater stand, which has transformed the look of the ground, has replaced the much smaller stand which used to seat only 30 people.

The £250,000 improvement has provided a cantilevered stand with unobstructed views and facilities for both home and away fans.

The development was carried out by local architects and surveyors JYM Partnership.

The project was constructed in two phases -- the stand being completed in September 2000 with the changing facilities completed soon afterwards.

Dave Spencer, chairman of Bamber Bridge, said: "We are delighted with our new facility and the impact it has made on the club. It's sure to raise our profile and increase growing interest in our ground." The development, which was partially funded by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) and additional cash injections from Preston and District league and the Football Association (FA), followed designs that were in line with government legislation on safety at sports grounds.

Peter Lee, chief executive of the FSIF praised Bamber Bridge for their ambitious plans.

He said: "I would like to thank our funding partners, the FA Premier League, The FA, Sport England and the government for making exciting projects like this possible and congratulate the club on such a high quality development.

"I wish Bamber Bridge every success in the future."

Peter Hitchen, project architect, added: "Creating a new spectacular facility with the club accommodation within a restricted site area proved to be a challenge and rewarding project."