SOUTHAMPTON city councillors are set to discuss safe standing at St Mary's Stadium in what could be a big leap forward for the campaign.

Originally raised by Redbridge Independent councillor Andrew Pope last year, the idea will now go before the city authority at its full council meeting on May 16.

This comes just days after the city's Conservative group announced they would be pushing for a train station to be built at the home of Southampton FC.

Cllr Pope is hoping that other councillors will back his proposal in a bid to improve the matchday experience for both home and away supporters.

He said: “I want to see action not words from the council.

"I very much hope that they will support my motion in May.

"The vast majority of clubs support safe standing.

"It’s a matter of safety and it’s important it goes ahead.

"It will improve the atmosphere at the stadium and will stop the constant battle between stewards and fans."

Cllr Pope is urging Southampton Football Club to back the initiative.

"We need the owners of Saints to back the proposal. The motion is to request that the football club formally support the safe standing.

"It’s just a question of when it happens not if it happens. The club has to respect their fans."

Tory leader Jeremy Moulton is supporting Cllr Pope and said: "The campaign has my full support.

"It is now on the agenda to see if it will receive support from the other parties.

"I think it is a great idea and I have not seen any objections to it so far.

"In my opinion it could happen."

Clubs in England’s top two divisions have been legally required to have all-seater grounds following the 1990 Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster when 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death in 1989.

Currently, more than 25 clubs in England and Wales playing in the Premier League and Football League have backed safe-standing with Manchester City, Aston Villa, Swansea City and Hull City among those in favour.

The Premier League has said it was exploring the option.

Saints did not respond to comment.