A New Forest football club is a step closer to selling its ground for a six-figure sum after committee bosses made a controversial announcement.

They have unanimously agreed to push for the relocation of their ground despite fierce objections in the community.

The decision is causing a split in the historic club.

Brockenhurst FC has played in the heart of the village for more than 50 years and club members had vowed to fight to keep their beloved home ground.

The site at Grigg Lane would be a housing developer's dream as it is the last remaining open green space in the village centre.

The decision on whether to sell up and submit a planning application for a new site on the village's outskirts is now in the hands of the club's four trustees.

Chairman Brian Small said: "The committee of Brockenhurst Football Club has unanimously decided to go for relocation if the trustees see it to be the future.

"If it goes ahead we will apply to New Forest District Council. We don't have to get the consent of the villagers, although it would be nice.

"It's the only sensible, logical way forward. It will mean better amenities for the football club, the social club and the village."

Mr Small confirmed that the committee is still considering a number of possible new sites, one of which is a field behind St Nicholas' Church in Mill Lane.

The chairman has always maintained that the Grigg Lane site is run-down and improvements would be too costly.

But a number of members of the Sydenhams Wessex League club have formed a fundraising committee and believe about £135,000 is needed to upgrade it.

They say the trust deeds state that the ground should not be sold for 100 years and there is still 80 years to run.

Life member Cyril Otter, 83, who is leading a group fighting the plans, said: "We will not give up until we win and I hope we have the backing of the village."

Members of the subcommittee are currently waiting for a reply to a letter they sent to the trustees to find out whether they will co-operate with a fundraising effort.

Chairman of Brockenhurst Parish Council, Nina Ball, said: "It's a very emotive issue in the village. At this stage we don't know quite what game everyone is playing so we will watch this space closely."