Chatteris Town football club has had its application to become a Community Amateur Sports Club accepted, giving them a major financial boost.

Being granted this status by HM Revenue and Customs means the club, which was struggling to pay its bills. will have 80 per cent of its annual £2,500 business rates written off.

As a result, MP Steve Barclay, who assisted the Lilies with their application, is urging other sports clubs to apply for specialist status to avoid having to pay full business rates.

He said: “As in the case of Chatteris Town Football Club business rates is a major cost to local clubs and takes a lot of effort to raise the money each year to pay. By seeking CASC status those costs can be dramatically reduced.

“It means changing a club’s constitution so that if it goes bust any assets go to charity and not to members. But most people do not join a club for financial gain so this should not be too much of an issue.

“I am also asking Fenland District Council to waive the other 20 per cent of business rates payable by clubs with CASC status especially given that half of the money collected goes to the government and the other have goes to the district council. It would meant that while all of the 20 per cent saving goes to the club only half of the cost is borne by the local Council Tax payer.”

Mr Barclay is also now preparing to help Chatteris Town seek funding from Sport England and the FA for work to help reduce other costs including looking at installing solar panels, new windows and better insulation on the club house to cut heating and maintenance bills.

Chairman Julian Young said: “It’s very expensive to maintain a 30 year old ground so we are delighted to be awarded this.

“In the long term, this will help us as we look to improve our facilities.”