Construction work is under way to create a new future for Manchester's Commonwealth Games stadium.

Workers have moved on to the site to complete alterations that will see the venue become the new home of Manchester City FC.

The work is set to be completed by autumn 2003.

The stadium was the centrepiece of the Commonwealth Games which were held in Manchester over 11 days in July and August.

Extra seats

The �110m venue was built with cash from Sport England, Manchester City Council and the government.

A spokesman for Manchester City Council said: "The stadium bowl will house a state-of-the-art football pitch, a new stand is being constructed and an extra tier of seating is to be installed in the months ahead."

It means the ground will increase its seat capacity by 10,000 extra spaces to 48,000.

The stadium is being leased to Manchester City and will also be available for community use, the spokesman explained.

He said: "It is a part of Sportcity, which also includes facilities for badminton, tennis, indoor athletics and outdoor athletics."

In August, Commonwealth triple-jump champion Jonathan Edwards claimed it was a shame the stadium was going to the football club.

Jonathan Edwards: "Real disgrace"

He said at the time: "It's a real disgrace that Great Britain as a country - with all its history and success in athletics, doesn't have a stadium capable of hosting a World Championships.

"It is a crying shame that the City of Manchester stadium is going to Manchester City."

A city council report released in October said the Commonwealth Games were delivered "comfortably within budget".

The Commonwealth Games helped Manchester secure more than �600 million of public and private investment.

It was estimated the Games would generate 6,100 full-time-equivalent jobs.