STEPHEN Vaughan wants to move Chester City's much-anticipated derby clash with Wrexham to Widnes so it can be played at night.

The Blues' chairman is asking the Football League to sanction a venue change to the Halton Stadium with a 7.45pm kick-off.

It is the latest twist in the long-running saga about the game which is scheduled to be played at noon, on Wednesday, December 28.

The Football League reluctantly sanctioned the move even though that day is not a public holiday and will mean many Chester City and Wrexham fans will be unable to attend.

The move followed advice from the Safety Advisory Group, made up of Cheshire Trading Standards, Fire Service, Ambulance, Police, and club officials, who said the change was necessary for public safety reasons.

But furious fans vented their anger about the change, and the Evening Leader was flooded with calls and emails from supporters expressing their disgust.

Mr Vaughan said: "We have asked the Football League whether we can move the match back to 7.45pm, but move it from the Deva Stadium to the Halton Stadium. We are waiting for them to come back."

David Cookson, a member of the fixtures department at the Football League, said: "We have not received any request yet and are not in a position to comment, but when a formal application is received the Football League board will look at it."

Mr Vaughan spoke about his efforts to change the venue after the news he had been voted onto the board of Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club as a director after investing in the club, which is based at the Halton Stadium.

The City chairman, who was linked with buying shares at Everton FC earlier this year, revealed he had invested in the Vikings with an option to acquire the major shareholding from chairman Tony Chambers.