Stadium inspected for World Cup

An inspection team is to visit Birmingham's Villa Park football ground to see if it can be included for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup bid.

The team are beginning a tour of England visiting towns and cities hoping to be hosts for the tournament.

The stadium, home to Aston Villa and which can seat 43,300, is already hosting fixtures for the 2012 Olympics.

Up to 15 towns and cities, with 22 stadia, have registered interest in hosting World Cup games.

These will be whittled down to about 18 stadia by the end of the year.

The inspection team begin in Bristol on Monday and finish in Newcastle on 10 September.