Plans for the multi-million pound redevelopment of Queen of the South Football Club's (QOTSFC) Palmerston Park stadium have moved forward.

Talks have been held between officials from the Scottish League First Division Club and representatives of Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP) with regards to the scheme. A new group is to be established in order to take the proposals to the next stage, which include a 6,000-seat stadium, office space and potential for social and commercial opportunities.

Space for youth development and new homes also feature under the plans, which are set to take three years to complete. Efforts to attract external funding are now underway. DGHP chair John Potts said: "Although plans are still in the very early stages, we are extremely pleased to be taking the project forward further and look forward to working in partnership with the football club to provide these new facilities."

QOTSFC chair David Rae added: "As well as giving us a fit-for-purpose Scottish Premier League-compliant stadium with in excess of 6,000 seats, the plans proposed here will be of huge benefit to Dumfries and the whole community."