A public meeting has been called to debate the future of a town football club, after negotiations over its lease hit a roadblock.

Wymondham Town Football Club's current lease expires on October 1 and solicitors are negotiating terms to extend it.

But progress has been stalled, after club chairman Andy Gardiner said it would be 'impossible' to agree the council's suggested terms - and that they will have to close if an agreement can't be reached.

Wymondham Town Council say that they want to negotiate with the club and ensure the lease is extended.

The club currently pays £75 a year for the land, a figure Mr Gardiner admitted was very low, and, following a valuation, the council have suggested an annual rent of £4,500.

But Mr Gardiner said that, with the cost of maintaining the land, the number is too high.

In a letter to the Mercury, he wrote: 'We still have to litter pick, cut all the grass, maintain all hedges etc and remove the dog excrement from the area.

'We in other words have to fully maintain the entire area and building with all associated costs. Then we pay £4,500 rent for the privilege.'

Mr Gardiner said that the football club hopes to come to an agreement over its future and is seeking discussions with the councillors.

Trevor Gurney, town council clerk, said: 'The council want to negotiate a new lease for the football club in respect of the Kings Head Meadow.

'We are not forcing them to close - we have suggested a figure which is based on a district valuation.

'We absolutely want to negotiate about this.'

The public meeting is at Wymondham Football Club on Saturday, March 21 and starts at 11am.

What do you think should happen to the football club? Email lauren.cope@archant.co.uk