New stand for The Oval

The Oval held its first Test match in 1880

Plans to redevelop part of England's oldest cricket Test ground have been approved.

Lambeth Council approved the plans for a new stand which will increase capacity at The Oval in Kennington, south London, to 23,000.

Local residents had objected to the scheme for the Vauxhall Road End, saying increasing its height would spoil the area.

Surrey County Cricket Club argued the ground would lose international fixtures without the extra seating.

It is hoped that the work will now be completed in time for the 2005 Ashes Test against Australia.

The Oval hosted England's first Test match, against Australia, 123 years ago.