OVER £2,000 has been raised for ground improvements for a Flintshire football club beset by vandalism in barely 24 hours.

Saltney Town FC needs to raise £2,500 to complete the work to its Sandy Lane ground to meet FAW Tier 3 criteria.

The club has been given a reprieve after a planned FAW inspection of its ground due to take place in April was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But it now has to raise the funds in order to complete the work ahead of the next inspection - which will take place after lockdown measures are lifted.

The club says once lockdown measures are lifted it will be been given however long lockdown lasts to complete the work before any inspection takes place - failure of which could see Saltney Town relegated from the Welsh National League Premier Division it currently sits in.

Usually the club runs fundraisers, such as family fun days and other social events, to raise the money it needs - something it has been unable to do due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Therefore a GoFundMe page has been set up to stump up the funds the club needs to complete the necessary work - namely new toilets, security measures, completing the tea bar and developing of the juniors playing surface.

Urgent works to the roof and stand which has been vandalised repeatedly in the past have also come to a grinding halt.

And in barely 24 hours, the fundraiser has generated over £2,000.

Darren Meredith, club chairman, said: ""It's obviously not possible for us to do what we do best by all getting together for a good nights entertainment, or generating any matchday income, and we have no hope of a Family Fun Day which would go a long way to completing these tasks.

"So it's absolutely amazing how much has been raised in such a small space of time. Players at the club have donated a lot but also seeing donations flood in from complete strangers to the club - I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who's donated. As a club we're truly humbled by people's generosity and support.

"With the 1st Team Tier 3 ground criteria still vital in order for the club to continue operating at this level, the guidance from the FAW is at the moment, there are no allowances for Covid-19 other than the deadline will extend by the length of the lockdown, meaning the reality is we will have a lot to do in an extremely short time period before inspection.

"This money will give us the chance at getting the work done in time."

Saltney Town FC is a club which been blighted by costly vandalism and other issues at the club's ground - which has included changing room windows being smashed, seats in the spectator stand being ripped out and equipment thefts.

But the club continues to be a pillar of the local community, and earlier this year set up a series of netted goal posts at spare land at its Sandy Lane ground for local children.

You can donate to the fundraiser at https://www.gofundme.com/f/f5qga-essential-ground-and-facilities-works