BIDEFORD Rugby Club is expected to buy its Victoria Park home ground off Torridge District Council.

The rugby club has submitted a business plan and a bid of £40,000 to buy the ground.

Some members of Torridge District Council have initially approved the transfer, but the decision must be ratified by the full council on April 12.

The council agreed to sell the club's freehold for £40,000 instead of £60,000 because of the social and community benefits of the transfer.

Club vice-chairman Matthew Retter said the transfer was looking very promising.

He said: "We want to secure the club for the younger generations as there is a strong desire for a rugby club to remain in the town.

"Over the last eight years we, as a club, have put a lot of investment into the grounds and if we become the owners we can control our own destiny.

"This is a really exciting opportunity for us to secure the future of the ground and it is a win-win situation for Torridge and for rugby."

Bideford Rugby Club, which was established in 1926, has more than 500 members aged from eight to 76 regularly training.

Mr Retter added: "A lot of people follow rugby in Bideford and the club has a lot of young players — which keeps them off the streets and we want that to remain in the town."

The club has had plans to redevelop parts of the ground, which was constructed more than 40 years ago.