Government officials have denied suggestions that an upgrade at Belfast's Ravenhill sports ground has signalled the death knell for a national stadium at the Maze.

The home of Northern Ireland rugby is set to undergo a £5m redevelopment, which is expected to boost the ground's capacity by around 11,500.

Ravenhill will also offer 20 new corporate boxes and 540 premium and business seats.

The government's Sports Department and Sport NI have both backed the modernisation scheme.

Playing down the pre-empted demised of the Maze site; Sports Minister Gregory Campbell said the Ravenhill improvements would have gone ahead regardless of any future stadium development.

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This did not stop some assembly colleagues second-guessing Mr Campbell's intentions.

Lisburn MLA Basil McCrea said it was "pretty clear" the department had decided to ditch the Long Kesh development.

Mr McCrea claimed it was an "open secret" the funding for a multi-purpose stadium would eventually be redistributed between the respective sporting bodies in the province.

"I think a lot of people will be disappointed that in the current economic climate we are not using an opportunity to build for the future, as a stadium at the Maze would create a lot of jobs," said the assemblyman.

Mr McCrea suggested it was a "mistake" to miss out on the opportunity of hosting events during the 2012 London Olympics.

"An opportunity has been missed, and it shows a small-minded approach from the government," he added.

A department official refuted Mr McCrea's claims. The spokeswoman said it was important not to confuse the Ravenhill upgrade and the Maze proposals.

She said the improvements were part of a plan to bring all Northern Ireland sports grounds up to health and safety codes.

The spokeswoman insisted a decision on the future of the Maze site is still to be made.

(PR/JM)