SAINTS' plans to transform their main training ground in time for the club's 125th anniversary celebrations later this year have been approved.

The Staplewood ground in Long Lane, Marchwood, will be given state-of-the-art facilities that aim to match the Premier League set up at St Mary's.

Saints are planning to bulldoze the existing buildings, excluding the dome, and replace them with a new two-storey complex including a medical centre, a players' lounge and offices for coaching and administrative staff, plus a media and player briefing room.

Many of the existing facilities will be upgraded.

The application was approved at a meeting of New Forest District Council's planning and development control committee this morning.

Full story and reaction in tomorrow's Daily Echo.