ECSTATIC football fans wept with joy and elation after it was revealed Dartford will return home after 13 years of exile.

At a Civic Centre meeting on Wednesday night, applause rippled across the council chamber as officials agreed to bring the Darts back to the town.

The new stadium at Princes Park will cost £6.5million to build and should be completed ready for the opening match of the 2006/07 season.

It will house 5,000 fans and will include a club house, function rooms, a bar, a community pitch, public plaza and gardens.

One Darts FC fan, Gregg Keattch, said: "This is fantastic news. This is not just good for the fans and the players but for the borough as a whole. The sleeping giants are awake."

Cllr Jeremy Kite, deputy leader of Dartford council, said: "It seems appropriate to say I am over the moon.

"When we set out to bring the Darts home we said we wanted a first class facility that would be easily accessible, well-served by public transport and of service to the local community.

"I’m delighted to say that the new Princes Park will meet these requirements and the stadium will be the perfect place for entertainment, leisure, sports and business."

FOR FULL STORY SEE NEXT WEEK'S DARTFORD MESSENGER