Bristol Rovers Football Club has appointed The Miller Partnership as architects for phase one of the redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium - the ground it shares with Bristol Rugby Club.

The football club will be applying for planning permission for the £5m redevelopment of the Centenary Stand within the next eight weeks and hopes to secure a grant for the majority of the financing from the Football Foundation.

The stand, which currently seats 1,120 will be demolished and replaced with one with a capacity of 6,000. It will also include 20,000sq ft of commercial and catering space.

Work is expected to begin at the close of the season in May 2004 and should be completed by Christmas of the same year.

Phases two and three will involve the redevelopment of the North Stand - which will be converted from terraces to seating for 5,000 and include 13,000sq ft of commercial space - and replacing the temporary, 1,000-capacity South Stand with a permanent 3,000-seat stand. Details: +44 (0)7970 677812