Agreement over proposed new rugby pitches has yet to be reached between Alresford civic chiefs and the town rugby club.

The town council heard that some of the obstacles that looked like scuppering the two new pitches at Arlebury Park had been resolved, but others remain.

Rugby club officials had hoped that the council would agree to back the scheme but their hopes were premature.

The club is under deepening time pressure as conditions for grants to cover most of the cost of converting farmland at Arlebury Park stipulate that work must start by June 30.

Potential hitches over the number of pitches and length of the lease look to have been resolved. Land-owner Rodney Morgan-Giles retains the right to have the land reinstated at the end of the lease.

Town councillor Roy Gentry raised potential stumbling blocks over the payment of professional fees, reclaiming VAT and project management.