A DEAL to bring football back to Gigg Lane has moved a step closer, it has been confirmed.

The Bury Times reported in December how Bury FC Supporters Society, known as Forever Bury, had secured £1m from the Community Asset Fund, towards securing football at the historic home of Bury FC.

And now officials from Forever Bury have confirmed the long-anticipated deal for the club and ground has advanced.

This includes ongoing talks with Bury AFC over the future of representative football in Bury and the ongoing health of Gigg Lane.

Supporters representatives have now issued a call for volunteers to restore Gigg Lane, one of the Football League's most historic venues, to its former glory.

A Forever Bury spokesman said: "The deal to acquire Gigg Lane and the club’s history, name and memorabilia has moved a significant step closer.

"Contracts have been exchanged with completion expected at the end of January. We have been granted a licence to begin our clean-up of the ground immediately. We’ll be calling upon all volunteers shortly.

"We appreciate the significant progress Bury AFC have made over recent years and have formed a working party with their representatives together with the Football Supporters Association and the council to discuss the way forward. This will return football to Gigg Lane and our aim is under the name Bury FC."