WORK has finally started on Maidstone United’s new stadium, with a JCB moving onto the site in James Whatman Way and shifting the first soil.

The borough council granted planning permission for the stadium to be built in 2004.

Despite the delay, supporters club chairman, Angela Reed, never doubted that the stadium would be built: "I have always had faith in the chairman. It has been a long journey to get this far but this is a fantastic day for the supporters."

Bill Williams, Maidstone United’s general manager, said: "It is going to be a lot of hard work but the end product is going to be a massive plus for the town. I have seen the demise of the club and all the heartache it has brought, so for me this is a very exciting day."

FULL STORY IN FRIDAY'S KENT MESSENGER.