Manchester United and Chelsea are among the five football clubs who will trial safe standing at grounds in the UK from January 1 with the standing ban imposed in 1994 to come to an end

Five clubs will take part in a safe standing trial from January 1 next year, the Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has announced.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea and Cardiff are the clubs whose applications to operate licensed safe standing areas have been approved.

The trial marks the end of a blanket ban on standing in the top two tiers of English football which has been in place for more than 25 years.

Huddleston said: 'I'm pleased to approve these five clubs as early adopters of licensed safe standing areas for the second half of the season.