Leicester Tigers have received planning consent for the £60million redevelopment of Welford Road.

Leicester City Council's planning authority approved plans to turn the Guinness Premiership champions' home into a 30,000-capacity stadium, making it the biggest dedicated club rugby ground in the UK.

The club are hoping to begin work on the first phase, which involves developing a new North Stand to boost capacity from 17,500 to 23,500, at the end of the season.

Chairman Peter Tom said: "This is a tremendously exciting time for everyone associated with this famous rugby club.

"A huge amount of work has gone into the project so far and we feel the architects have produced an exciting and innovative design for the stadium.

"We have worked closely with the planning authorities and we are delighted to receive their approval for a facility of which the city can be proud."

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