Work has started on a �6m sports stadium that is billed as one of the first in the world to be designed for disabled athletes.

Managers say the stadium in Boston, Lincolnshire will also be used by able-bodied athletes, but will be built from scratch with disabled athletes in mind.

"Everything has been designed to be used by disabled athletes, from locker rooms to seating and even the vending machines," Boston Borough Council chief executive Nicola Bulbeck said.

"It was not 'adapted for' but 'built for' disabled athletes."

'Ugly concrete'

The Dabsi (Disabled and Able-bodied Stadium) will also be home to Boston and District Athletics Club and Boston Rugby Club.

Ms Bulbeck said the stadium will be built entirely with wood, making it a "very innovative design".

She added that it will be "much more attractive" than the usual "ugly concrete block" stadiums.

The project has disabled athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson and BBC sports presenter John Inverdale as sponsors.

Young tigers

The borough council hopes the stadium will attract national and international disabled sports championships.

Boston Football Club are also thinking about building a new ground adjacent to the stadium and sharing car parking, access roads and other facilities.

Leicester Tigers, current Heinken Cup champions, are in talks with Boston Rugby Club about locating their youth training facility at the stadium.

Construction work is due to be finished by May 2003.