An artist's impression of how the extended Madejski Stadium could look

The Royals submitted the plans earlier this year and they have now been approved by Reading Borough Council for work which will start in summer 2008.

"We're extremely pleased the council has approved our plan," chief executive Nigel Howe told the club's website.

"Although we hoped work would start this summer a number of factors have to be addressed before work can begin."

Reading finished eighth in their first season in the Premiership, missing out on a Uefa Cup place by just one point.

Howe said the expansion would help the club in its aim "to become an established force in the top flight," and they had delayed it until 2008 to avoid inconveniencing fans.

"If we started now, the necessary enabling works would not be completed in time for the start of the season," he said.

"That would entail disruption to existing seats and that is something we have always been very keen to avoid.

"We have said all along that no final decisions had been made on the finer detail of the design and we will now take our time to make sure that the right decisions are made.

"We want to make sure the project is carried out properly and not rushed."