Speedway's field of dreams is now a reality.

The first pieces of turf were cut yesterday at Leicester Lions' new £1.2 million stadium site in Beaumont Leys. It means the Lions will be back in action next March after a 28-year absence in the city.

Promoter David Hemsley was joined by former stars Ray Wilson and Norman Hunter, the stadium's project sponsors Olivetti Group, Abraham Property Developments and Maxi-Waste, and local ward councillors Vi Dempster, Keith Lloyd-Harris and Paul Westley.

Enabling work has already started and is the first stage of the £4.5 million Beaumont Sports Complex, which will also cater for football and cycling.

Hemsley said: "It is a great relief to get to this point after a lot of hard work by all the different parties. We've been waiting for this for an awful long time.

"We're sure speedway is going to be a massive hit. There is a whole generation of people who have never had the opportunity to support a local team. They are going to be very, very excited about what will be on offer."

Ken Naylor, supporters' club chairman, has been campaigning for speedway to return since Lions last raced in 1983.

"Sometimes I thought about giving up, but I never did," he said. "I was determined to see it through and this time next year I'll be jumping for joy."