IT was out with the old and in with the new as staff at Colchester Utd's Layer Road said their final farewells to the ground.

IT was out with the old and in with the new as staff at Colchester Utd's Layer Road said their final farewells to the ground.

With the work on the long-awaited Weston Homes Community Stadium now complete, it was time for the club to lock the doors on the past yesterday.

Chief Executive Marie Partner was given the honour of bringing the Us' 71-year stay at Layer Road to an end.

It was an emotional moment for Mrs Partner, who started work at Colchester United in the club's ticket office more than 20 years ago.

The removal lorries then wasted no time in moving all the boxes and belongings up to the new 10,000-seat ground to the north of Colchester at Cuckoo Farm.

There will be a chance this weekend for U's fans to grab one last piece of Layer Road history as the club auctions off parts of the ground, including the corner flags, centre circle and penalty spots.

And a boot stretching table and signed shirt hooks from the changing rooms are among the more unusual items going under the auctioneer's hammer.

There will be viewing opportunities tomorrow at Layer Road of all the items that will be going under the hammer on Sunday.