THERE week as work on the club's new stadium came to a halt after a funding setback.

The Bank of Scotland, which was providing most of the finance for the project at the Prince Edward Playing Fields in Canons Park, withdrew its support for reassessment after a key partner was lost from Wealdstone's venture finance company.

The Stadia Investment Group, which held a 25 per cent stake in the project, pulled the plug on its involvement when some of its subsidiaries went into administration.

The move meant that the project's full-time co-ordinator of the work also left.

The bank will not renew its backing until a new partner is found, and has invited another company with the necessary expertise, the Scarborough Development Group, to look into taking over.

Meanwhile, work on the stadium has fallen seven weeks behind schedule and the chance of it being ready for next season has disappeared.

Wealdstone will, therefore, start next year at Edgware's White Lion Ground, their current home, but club officials are confident that the setback is only temporary.

Director Howard Krais said: "About £5 million has been spent already on the site, and it's over 60 per cent completed.

"It's not as if it's a greenfield site and can go back to the drawing-board. Everyone wants to make this work, including the council, and the holdup is in no-one's interest.

"It's very disappointing for the fans, as they've waited so long for a home, but they might have to wait a few more months."

No new timescale for completion has yet been set, although manager Gordon Bartlett has said that he is confident the club will be playing in the new stadium by the end of the year.