The team behind the Birmingham bid for the new national sports stadium have called on the Government to stick to Tuesday's deadline for financing development plans at Wembley.

The Football Association was given until Tuesday to finalise the funding plans for a national stadium at the Wembley site - or risk losing government support.

But the government said no announcement would be made until after 2 May and the local government elections in England.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it did not want to appear to be swaying voters with announcements on major investment in an area where elections are being contested.

The DCMS has not said when a final announcement will be made but 7 May would be the earliest parliamentary opportunity.

The construction firm Multiplex is demanding proof from Wembley's backers that it has vital finances in place.

And those fighting for Birmingham and Solihull to be considered instead, urged the DCMS to honour its ultimatum.

"Wembley has had its time," said Birmingham City Council deputy leader, Andy Howell.

"With new bankers emerging and a board only established in just the last few days, it seems implausible that Wembley can meet Tuesday's deadline, or indeed deliver a new national football stadium at any time.

"Its time for this sorry saga to enter a positive phase: it's time for Birmingham."

Troubleshooter Patrick Carter last year recommended the Birmingham and Solihull proposal should be "actively considered" if the Wembley scheme was not accepted "within a reasonable timescale".

Barclays pulls out

Culture and Sports Secretary Tessa Jowell told the Commons last year that she had ordered the FA and the group behind the London bid - Wembley National Stadium Ltd - to sort out its �715m deal by the end of April 2002.

But on Friday, Barclays announced it was pulling out as a contender to finance the project after learning that the FA was negotiating with German bank Westdeutsche Landesbank.

A spokesman for the DCMS said at the time that the FA had not asked for any extension to the deadline.

Paul Spooner, director of the Birmingham and Solihull project team, said the Midlands scheme was "ready to go".

He has written to FA chief executive Adam Crozier urging him to rescue discussions with Birmingham if the Government withdraws its support for Wembley.

Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis is also calling on other football clubs to back the Midlands proposal.