Ballard's Ash could become the new sporting centre of Wootton Bassett if relocation talks for both the rugby and football club are successful.

A massive rise in club members has forced Wootton Bassett RFC and the Sports Association which includes the town's football, cricket and tennis clubs to look for a bigger home to accommodate more pitches and cater for the increased demand.

Phil Williams, president of Wootton Bassett RFC, said: "It's a very exciting prospect for the town and the reason we have to move is because we've got so many junior members and we've just run out of space.

"If it was the senior side we'd be okay but we've got about 260 to 280 junior members and it's in the interests of the kids who hopefully, in ten or 15 years will be playing in the 1st XV."

Wootton Bassett RFC, which is currently based at Stoneover Lane, runs three senior sides, a veterans' team, mini and junior teams ranging from under sevens up to under 19s and currently has several players representing England at differing age groups.

The club has been at its current site since 1978 and first approached the town council, from whom they lease the land, four years ago. The town council supports the relocation and Wootton Bassett RFC is currently in talks to get it included in North Wiltshire District Council's Local Plan.

Mr Williams said: "There's still a long way to go but if we manage to move up to Ballard's Ash our two pitches at Stoneover Lane would go up for housing, which would raise the money for the relocation."

The Sports Association, which is located at the Gerard Buxton Ground on Rylands Way, is interested in a similar relocation but has only recently started discussions.

Relocation project manager, Paul Harrison, said: "Our land is trustee land, which was given to us and is managed by trustees so we would only move if we could maintain those same principles at the new site. But the aim is to provide the best sporting facilities for the Bassett community.

"We're trying to identify potential land that we could move to and we're also looking for people who'd be interested in buying our land as a way of funding the move."

Wootton Bassett FC runs more than 15 sides while the Tennis Club has 12 teams and the Cricket Club four. If a move to Ballard's Ash was successful Wootton Bassett RFC and the Sports Association would remain separate but would look to work more closely with the facilities.

Residents living near the two grounds have had a mixed response to the proposals. Queenie Tye, of Rylands Way, said: "We'd rather it didn't happen of course but it has been expected and I suppose you have to move with the times. My main concern would be access and I'd hope that they'd widen the road."

A resident near Stoneover Lane, who did not want to be named, said: "I'm very much against this and I don't think you'll find anyone round here who would be in favour of it to be honest. We don't want houses on our doorstep and the traffic would be a nightmare."