WORCESTER chairman Cecil Duckworth has announced plans to transform Warriors into "one of the best clubs in Europe" with a major ground expansion.

The club are pouring £23m into increasing the capacity of Sixways to 13,200 after they secured a new three-year deal with current sponsors npower.

Having signed the contract worth £1.5m and acquired the backing of the county council, the club will complete the major development of the site by summer 2007.

Worcester's chairman Cecil Duckworth believes the club's fan base is big enough to justify the expansion, which will make Sixways one of the biggest grounds in the Guinness Premiership.

"We are beyond most of the competition and not far away from the biggest so, from a support point of view, we will meet the demand that appears to be there at the moment," he said.

"We've sold out for every game and, as we improve on the field, we are convinced there are another 3,000 who want to be here every Saturday afternoon."

A brand new North Stand will be built after the club received planning permission to divert the brook behind the previous structure, which will increase the capacity by more than 3,000.

There will also be a sports and leisure complex -- the result of a joint venture between Worcestershire County Council and Esporta Health and Fitness Club.

"It's a great benefit for the city, having a sporting complex that's ideal for the community," said Duckworth.

A park and ride facility will be built behind the main stadium. County Hall are providing a significant investment in the infrastructure and will recoup revenue earned during the week. On matchdays, Warriors will have exclusive use.

Warriors have bought 25 acres of land on the other side of Pershore Lane and have an option on a further 25, which will house the amateur sides who previously used the area now earmarked for the park and ride.

The club also unveiled their new strip for the forthcoming season and director of rugby John Brain admits the heat is now on to build a team worthy of the new stadium. He said: "I think there's always pressure when the facilities are first-class that the team are first-class."

The stadium's capacity will be nudged over the 10,000 mark during this summer but most of the re-development work will take place throughout next season.