View from the Ealing Road end which will soon have a roof over it

The work will cost over �600,000, most of which comes from a grant from the Football Stadium Improvement Fund, and should be completed by the end of May.

Managing director Keith Dickens told the club website: "This is some of the best news our club has had for ages.

"The reality of the situation is that the ink is still drying on the deal and any late setback could have cost us."

Dickens added: "The critical issue was should we invest in Griffin Park when we have a vision of building a new stadium?

"We still remain intent on delivering a new stadium, but to secure and build it will take time. The fantastic grant means we can invest in our only major asset right now and put ourselves in a better position from which to move later."

Dickens also said the work could result in home fans moving to that end of the ground with away supporters returning to the opposite Brook Road end.

"This work gives us more options but we are not decided on this one yet and the idea is to consult our supporters first and take account of what they think."