Stonehouse Town Football Club's push for promotion has been given a boost thanks to two local housebuilders.

The Magpies are currently gunning for promotion into the Hellenic League from the Gloucestershire County League - a move that would see them move into the 10th tier on the English league pyramid.

Promotion is not just down to performance on the pitch, however, as certain standards have to be met at the club's home ground as well.

And that's where Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes have stepped in, making improvements to the Magpies Stadium while they also work on the nearby Great Oldbury development.

Stonehouse captain Tim Williams said: We're really ambitious and keen to get ourselves into the Hellenic league next season. However, to be able to play at that next level we need to have a certain standard of stand for spectators.

"Our existing stand had been there for around 40 years and needed a major overhaul. We're so grateful to Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes for funding the improvements, which will make us compliant with the FA's ground grading requirements.

"Now all we have to do is top the league."

Ahead of the crucial last month of the season, the Magpies are currently in third place in the table, 12 points behind leaders Lebeq United from Bristol, but the Magpies have three games in hand.

The club runs three senior Saturday sides as well as youth sides from Under-10s through to Under-18s as well as an Under-16s Ladies team.

Members of the club were special guests at the official launch of the Great Oldbury development earlier in March, with team members cutting the ribbon on the new community of homes.

Andrea Pilgrim, sales director at Barratt Homes, said: "Like us, Stonehouse Town FC is full of ambition and that's a superb quality to have.

"It's our pleasure to recognise the club's drive and determination with this recent donation."

Louise Ware, sales director at David Wilson Homes, added: "As a company that's in the business of creating communities, we fully applaud the way football teams bring people together.

"We're pleased that spectators can now get together in more comfort with the newly-upgraded and sheltered stand."