Bristol City Football Club has launched a consultation with residents over plans for a new stadium at Ashton Vale.

The club intends to submit a planning application for a 30,000 seater stadium on the 42-acre site, which borders the David Lloyd fitness centre and the Long Ashton park and ride, early next year.

Exhibitions at two local venues will allow members of the public to find out more about proposals for the stadium and provide feedback.

Bristol City FC and its consultant team will be available at the exhibitions to answer any questions.

At a later date there will also be the opportunity for interested members of the public to participate in workshops, taking a more 'hands-on' approach to the planning process.

Club chairman Steve Lansdown said: "We are keen for local people to play a role in helping to shape plans for the site of the new stadium, as they have a great deal of local knowledge and insight.

"The exhibitions will give residents the opportunity to discuss the development of the site and we look forward to receiving their feedback, which will help form the final proposals.

"A new stadium would bring substantial benefits for both the club and the city as a whole, creating a world-class sports facility, strengthening the local economy and driving the ongoing regeneration of south Bristol.

"The community's input will therefore play a very important part in the planning application process."

The exhibitions will take place at:

*The Premier Suite, Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road, 2pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday November 5.

*Long Ashton Village Hall, Long Ashton, from 10.30am to 2.30pm and 4pm to 7.30pm on Friday November 7.

*The Premier Suite, Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road, from 10.30am to 5.30pm on Saturday November 8.

Mr Lansdown bought the land with developer JT Group with a view to building a new stadium for Bristol City.

Last month police were called to the site after residents complained that bulldozers were already clearing a field in a site designated as one of Nature Conservation Interest.

After council officers visited the site work was stopped.

Mr Lansdown insisted the work was not connected to the planned new stadium but was to clear ditches for grazing purposes for a local farmer and to prevent flooding.

A dedicated hotline has also been set up on 0845 602 2807 to answer any queries on the proposed stadium and the public exhibitions.