GLOUCESTERSHIRE Cricket have been given a major boost for their future as plans to put up floodlights at the County Ground have been approved by councillors.

It means that Gloucestershire can go forward with plans to host big one-day matches to the county.

The application to build floodlights was deferred by Bristol City Council last month but on Wednesday, their Development Control Committee gave their planning permission application the green light.

And it is full steam ahead for the county now. Will Brown, Gloucestershire Cricket's chief executive, said: “We are delighted that the committee has come to this decision as it finally allows us to realise our ambitions to bring international cricket to Bristol.

“We would like to thank everyone who has helped us develop these plans, particularly our neighbours whom we have continued to work with since February.

"We will continue to work with them and officers to ensure the Floodlight Management Plan is in place before we start using the lights.

“We will now work towards installing the lights ahead of the start of the 2016 season.”