Albion's Hawthorns work begins

Albion are extending their popular memorial garden as part of a summer of improvement work at the Hawthorns.

The Baggies have also re-seeded the Hawthorns pitch and are planning to revamp facilities in the Smethwick End in the latest phase of their stadium revamp.

The garden, situated behind the East Stand car park, is used by fans to remember friends and relatives and the club have reassured fans their memorials will not be disturbed.

Chief executive Mark Jenkins said: "The only work being conducted on the current plot is alterations to the fencing, which will improve the feel of the memorial garden.

"The memorial garden has proved a source of comfort for our supporters and we are extending the area to the bank at the rear to allow more fans to make use of it.

"There will be full disabled access and we are also creating a patio area."

The pitch has been re-seeded so grass has already grown back and six sprinklers have been integrated.

The supporters' facilities in the home and away sections of the Smethwick End concourse are being upgraded including new flooring, extra lighting and extra turnstiles to improve access.

A similar upgrade was carried out on the Birmingham Road End concourse last summer and the club are planning the same work in the East Stand concourse in future.

The stadium's exterior is also being repainted.

Jenkins said: "Each year we look at ways to improve the infrastructure of the club and the matchday facilities for our supporters, who continue to back the team in their thousands.

"We will need their support more than ever next season and we believe the work being undertaken will not only improve the look and feel of the stadium, but also make visiting the Hawthorns a more pleasurable experience."