Plans to invest in Belfast's Windsor Park have been backed by the Irish Football Association.

The IFA said it "agreed in principle" with redevelopment proposals for the stadium, which comes just months after the government officially axed plans for a national sporting complex.

A much mooted scheme at the former Maze prison site had been expected to house the Province's main rugby, football and GAA sides.

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The IFA's support for renovation at Windsor Park, in east Belfast, could end any potential for a shared facility in the future.

Windsor Park is the official home of the Northern Ireland squad and Linfield FC, who rents the grounds to the IFA.

The current stadium has a 13,500 capacity, which will need to be greatly increased.

In a statement, the IFA said: "The size of the stadium, together with the ownership structure of the stadium and negotiations around the existing contract with Linfield FC, were not discussed, but the association will now begin work on these areas and other key elements of the redevelopment project."

(PR/KMcA)