PRESTON North End chiefs have revealed their delight at negotiating planning permission for a new 30,000-seater stadium at Deepdale -- and work could start by Christmas!

At a supporters' meeting on Thursday night, chairman Bryan Gray and manager David Moyes revealed the importance of the ground to the club's future.

Chairman Gray said: "We've been given permission to build a stadium suitable for the Premier League. It's obviously something we've been working on for some time.

"It's the right decision and I'm delighted that we can build the stadium the club deserves."

Manager Moyes added: "This is a massive step forward for the club in finding and attracting players and it will all be started as soon as is possible."

Club bosses have agreed to sign a legal agreement with the council requiring both parties to work together to agree solutions to problems brought on by the ever-growing crowd at Deepdale.

Months of detailed negotiations on traffic and parking issues have resulted in an agreement between the two parties.

The main terms of the agreement are that they have a working partnership with an annual review of progress, fundamental reviews when crowds reach averages of 16,500 and 18,700, and financial support from PNE for traffic calming measures once the higher crowd figure is reached.

Councillor Ron Atkins, chair of planning, said: "This agrees a balance of allowing the club to create a stadium that is worthy of their ambition of playing in the Premiership and at the same time, ensuring the interests of residents around the ground are accommodated.

"The increased number of spectators that further success will bring will now be managed as a partnership with the club, without bringing undue traffic problems for local residents."