THE Screwfix Direct Western League is set to expand from next season.

A special meeting of clubs on Monday gave the league's board a mandate to grow to 40 teams - from the current 37 - with 20 in each division.

The move is part of a nationwide restructuring of non-league football by the Football Association.

And it is likely that the Western League will grow to 44 teams over coming seasons.

League chairman Cliff Ashton outlined the restructuring proposal saying that, from next season, there would be a Conference and two Conference divisions.

Below that, there would be four divisions - including a Southern League - and then nine further leagues - including the Western League.

Mr Ashton said two or three teams from the Western premier division could be promoted to the new Southern League at the end of this season.

This would leave the Western League looking to bring in new clubs in order to increase its numerical strength.

And, so far, 14 clubs from its feeder county leagues have expressed an interest in joining. The league is also looking at attract any other suitable clubs next season.

Clubs voted in favour of the expansion proposal and also agreed that decisions on whether to allow new clubs into the league should be based on the standard of their facilities.