ILYAS Khan’s latest plans to build Accrington Stanley a new stadium in Church has met with initial council backing.

Both Hyndburn Council’s Conservative leader and the area’s Labour ward councillors said they welcomed the plans as an exciting idea which would help regeneration.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe has pledged to help the multi-millionaire in any way possible and said he was happy to meet with Stanley bosses to discuss the idea.

Mr Khan, who became Stanley’s non-executive chairman when he saved the Reds from winding up proceedings, this week revealed a new stadium could be placed on the former Arnold Clark site near Hyndburn Sports Centre.

No opposition to the scheme is likely to come from ward councillor Joan Smith, who said both she and colleague John Broadley would like to see the plan work.

Coun Britcliffe said: “It is a wonderful ambition for Mr Khan to work towards and I wish him every success.”

Ward councillor Joan Smith said: “It would provide very welcome regeneration for Church.

“Of course it will have to meet with traffic requirements but on the face of it it seems a good idea.”