Legal move on football club pitch

A Highland League football club in Inverness looks set to lose the ground it leases from a local authority because of mounting rent arrears.

Clachnacuddin's Grant Street Park is owned by Highland Council.

Its Inverness city committee unanimously agreed to instruct a solicitor to begin proceedings in the sheriff court to recover the land.

The committee expressed disappointment at having to take the action against the club.

It said the council had "exercised great patience" in its dealings with Clach and the move followed the club's decision to withdraw an offer renouncing the lease.

However, councillors said the termination of the lease could help the club as it would stop further increases in arrears.

Secretary Gilbert Skinner said it would be for the club's directors to comment on the legal action.

Nicknamed the Lilywhites, the club was founded in 1886 and its ground has a capacity of 3,000.

Grant Street Park is leased through an agreement with the council's Inverness Common Good Fund.