Worcester City Football Club faces a grilling today from opponents of the retail units it insists are necessary to fund a new stadium.

On the final day of a four-day public inquiry, the club will have the opportunity to put its case in favour of changing the Local Plan to allow the enabling commercial development.

Worcester City Council has backed the change to the plan - the blueprint for future development in the city - subject to 18 conditions, including keeping retail to a minimum and demanding a high standard of design.

But the idea of having bulky goods stores on the Nunnery Way site, as well as the proposed 6,000-seater stadium, has created opposition among local residents.

Since the inquiry started on Tuesday, May 20, individuals and groups have addressed independent planning inspector Clive Richardson about their concerns.

Most of the objectors, including Spetchley Road Residents Association, Spetchley Parish, and the Worcestershire branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England, said they were not opposed to having a new stadium on their doorstep.

But they were against any enabling development, particularly after an independent inspector rejected the principle at a previous Local Plan inquiry in 1997.

After the club has presented its case the objectors will have the opportunity to ask questions about their concerns.

Mr Richardson will then consider all the evidence from the hearing and is due to announce his decision in December.