BEWDLEY Town FC could be forced to fold if a dispute with district planners over the club's floodlights is not resolved, the club's chairman has warned.

Wyre Forest District Council's planning committee refused an application by the Ribbesford Meadows based club to allow its floodlights to be set upright permanently.

The floodlights are supposed to be brought down into a horizontal position when the sports field is not in use.

Club chairman, Geoff Edwards, said the club did not have enough labour to carry that out.

He explained: "I can't see how we could continue if we don't sort this out. It is not possible for us to keep taking down the lights.

"We are a volunteer-based club and it can be difficult sometimes to find someone to cut the grass.

"On average, we have two night games a week and you can't keep asking people to do things.

"It takes 20 minutes to bring down each of the six floodlights in daylight, never mind at night, using torches."

The Worcestershire County Football Association demands clubs at Bewdley's level have sufficient facilities, including floodlights. He warned the club might have to drop out of the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division.

He said: "It would be the beginning of the end. We have either got to stay at the same level or go forwards, up to the Midland Football Alliance. I can't see people carrying on if we take such a backwards step."

He argued if the floodlights were lowered they would be a danger to children and a nuisance to spectators. The move would also involve extra costs, as each set of bulbs would have to be boxed up to protect them from vandals.

Mr Edwards criticised the district council, saying: "We have never received any money from them.

"They promise to help but never do. They know how good we are for the local area."

He added: "I'm going to fight the council's decision all the way. First there will be an appeal and after that I will take it to the FA and the Sports Minister, if necessary."

District council planning officer, Claire Bishop, argued the club was within a landscape protection area and an area of great landscape value.

She said: "To allow the retention of the floodlights in an upright position on a permanent basis would have a detrimental impact on the quality and character of the landscape."

Bewdley Town FC has 14 teams, including a large youth system.

Ninety per cent of the players come from within a three-mile radius of the club.