DATES have been confirmed for two pre-season warm-up events to be held at Colchester's new community football stadium.

Health and safety chiefs have given permission for the multi-million pound facility - which is still under construction at Cuckoo Farm - to be opened up to fans and the general public for the first times on July 26 and August 5.

The July session is expected to be a family open day, with no football on offer, while August 5 is likely to see a friendly match with U's stars on show.

Colchester United bosses will be using the two days as a chance to rehearse procedures for getting supporters in and out of the 10,000-capacity ground.

To ensure the trial runs pass off smoothly, they plan to place an artificial limit on the number of fans who can attend