'It's huge': Fans salute promotion-winning team

Fans of Ipswich Town Women joined the players at an event to celebrate the team's promotion to the second tier of women's football.

Ipswich Borough Council invited supporters to the Cornhill, a square in the town centre, on Saturday to mark promotion.

Holly Lewis, 30, a season ticket holder, said the achievement was "absolutely massive".

The Tractor Girls reached the Women's Championship after spending four years in the Women's National League Southern Premier Division.

Ms Lewis added: "It is going to massively bolster the development of the women's game as well as the promotion of the town.

"It is going to be huge. It is huge," she added.

Matt Battersby, 55, from Paris, was among those who turned out to celebrate.

He said: "First time to see the men's and women's teams at the same tiers of football, and I think it is really great for the town and both sets of supporters, and long may it continue."

The Championship will consist of 12 teams next season, and Ipswich Town Women's opponents will include Crystal Palace, recently relegated from the Women's Super League after one season.

Nottingham Forest were also promoted after winning the Women's National League Northern Premier Division.

Town sold out their final game of the season at the 2,150-capacity Martello Ground in Felixstowe, where they play home games.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.