A potential deal to save one of Cromer's oldest institutions has been given a cautious welcome.

North Norfolk District Council earlier this week announced Cromer Town Football Club could remain at Cabbell Park for a further three years while a new sports facility is built on the edge of town – even if plans for a new £3.5m medical centre on its home ground are approved.

It had been feared that the football club could be consigned to history if it were kicked off the park to make way for the development, with the clubhouse which supports the ongoing operation of the club in line for demolition.

Cromer mayor Tim Adams said: 'I wholeheartedly welcome the news of progress.

'It's good that the district council has reassessed what they are doing here – hopefully for the benefit of the community.'

The local authority revealed that if it sold the land to developers MedCentres, it could arrange to lease the clubhouse back and sub-let it to Cromer Town Football Club.

The proposal would mean the football club, which was founded in 1884, could continue to raise funds to support its ongoing operation through the use of the clubhouse and secure its place in the Anglian Combination next season.

Football club chairman Paul Jarvis said: 'The clubhouse provides our lifeblood in terms of raising money.

'Keeping it in place will leave us in a viable position.

'In terms of income it generates £13,000 a year, which is absolutely vital.

'We don't have any meat on the bones in terms of how this is going to be operationally possible but, from the club's point of view, it seems a positive way forward.'

He added: 'We are very happy with the support we have had locally and from the football community, not just in Norfolk but nationally and internationally.

'Now we want to move forward and find an amicable solution.'

Parish councillors heard a meeting with representatives from the football club, district council and Norfolk FA is planned for Tuesday to discuss the way ahead.