Residents living close to Liverpool Football Club's Anfield ground have backed plans for a move to a new stadium.

A consultation document released on Friday revealed that nearly 60% of residents endorsed the club's proposal.

The club wants to build a new 55,000-seater stadium at Stanley Park, which is a few metres from its current ground.

It is believed the new stadium could be ready for the start of the 2006/7 season.

Our view is that this stadium is right for our needs

Rick Parry, club chief executive

The plan would also involve extensive demolition of housing and construction of new homes, businesses and leisure facilities.

In May this year the club said the construction of the stadium would cost up to �70m.

Its original plan to build a �120m stadium, with a capacity of 70,000, was rejected by Liverpool City Council.

When the plans were unveiled the club's chief executive, Rick Parry, told Liverpool's official website, liverpoolfc.tv: "What we don't want to do - and what we won't ever do - is lose the focus that the team comes first.

"We always want to ensure the revenue is available for the manager to strengthen his squad.

"That is one reason why we haven't pressed ahead with our original plan for a 70,000 stadium. We don't want to have a huge financial millstone hanging around our necks.

"Our view is that this stadium is right for our needs."

At the time while some fans were reluctant to see the demise of the famous Kop, many said the club needed to look to the future with an expanded stadium.

STADIUM PICTURES COURTESY OF LIVERPOOL FC'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE.