Thousands of animal rights campaigners have supported plans for AFC Wimbledon to return to the borough with a new stadium.

A total of 15,000 supporters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have put their signatures to a letter supporting the stadium bid for Plough Lane.

From November: "Biggest crook in Wimbledon" to face greyhound disciplinary panel after Panorama revelations

If planning permission is granted by Merton Council, the current greyhound stadium would be demolished to make way for the 11,000 seater stadium which could be expanded.

PETA director Mimi Bekhechi said: "As lagging ticket sales show, more people than ever are opposed to breeding dogs for speed at the expense of their health.

"PETA encourages kind people everywhere to stick to sports featuring only willing human participants - which is exactly what we'd be able to enjoy at a new state-of-the-art football stadium."

The multi-million pound plans for a 20,000 seater stadium, 602 flats, shops, parking and a squash and fitness club, which could be built in phases would see AFC Wimbledon return to the borough if permission is granted.

A greyhound racing trainer who bragged he was known as "The biggest crook in Wimbledon" on national television and that he drugged dogs to fix races was due to face a disciplinary panel last month.

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) said administrative delays had meant the panel would now be delayed until March or April and it will be held behind closed doors.

Trainer Chris Mosdall was filmed by an undercover reporter on BBC’s Panorama programme last year boasting about drugging greyhounds so they run more slowly than their competitors so he could fix the results.

The evidence will be heard by a panel as part of the GBGB.

The council consultation into AFC Wimbledon and Galliard Homes’ plans has come to and end.

The application is due to be heard by the planning committee in the spring.