The chief executive of the Rugby League World Cup has given fresh hope to people desperate to see a new stadium built in Workington.

Allerdale council made a successful bid to host the sporting event in 2021 but the games hang entirely on the creation of the multi-million pound arena – plans left up in the air after a shock election result.

But, following "constructive" talks with the council, Jon Dutton, chairman of the RLWC, has this week given fresh hope to those who are desperate to see the stadium built.

He said: “I have had a constructive meeting with representatives from the newly-formed executive committee at Allerdale council, with two-way dialogue about the opportunities and risks of the stadium project.”

And public pressure for the new executive to back the plans put forward by the previous Labour-led administration is also mounting.

Hundreds of people joined a march through Workington town centre on Friday night in support of brand-new 8,000 capacity venue.

Sporting chiefs have a ‘plan B’ if the stadium plans are shelved but this will not be in in Cumbria because there are “no viable alternatives locally”.

A decision is expected on June 28 when the new executive meets publicly for the first time since the election on May 2.

The new executive includes members who have branded the stadium a “vanity project”, though there is some suggestion they may be warming to the scheme.

Deputy leader Mark Jenkinson, one of the most vocal critics of the stadium plans, said he had now had the chance opportunity to view “unpublished information” available to the former executive.

The executive has already postponed a crunch planning panel meeting to give them “more time” to review the scheme.

Workington’s biggest sporting teams, Workington Reds and Workington Town, are due to share the new community venue.

John Mackay, chairman of Workington Reds, met with council chiefs in a separate stadium briefing last week.

He also described the talks as “constructive” and a “positive move forward”.

He said: “We had a good discussion about the state of both grounds and the need for re-development, and they explained to me that their decision would have to be made on financial grounds.

“There has been good dialogue between Allerdale council and both clubs which I have been pleased about.”

Les Smallwood, chairman of Workington Town,  also said talks had been “positive” and both clubs were now working closely together.

Council leader Marion Fitzgerald stressed that members of the new executive have been working “extremely hard” to gather as much information as possible on this proposal before it is discussed on June 28.

“I am sure the two clubs will attest to the care and attention that has been devoted to finding out as much as we possibly can before making a decision,” she said.