POP promoter Mel Bush is on the brink of completing a takeover deal for Weymouth Football Club after former chairman Ian Ridley withdrew his offer.

Bush, who is the father-in-law of Terras boss Jason Tindall, has been in intense negotiations with the club's current owner Martyn Harrison over the past week and is now just waiting for the hotelier to put pen to paper.

Mr Bush said today: "It is down to Martyn now. Everything is in place and it is just waiting for him to sign.

"It has been in place for a few days but we have been negotiating for four weeks. I was hoping to get it done as soon as possible but the ball is not in my court now."

Mr Bush, who revealed details of his bid on the Terras supporters forum, added: "The only reason I did that was because there were so many false statements and mistruths being said and I wanted to let everyone know that an offer is there.

"We shook hands on it in front of solicitors and like I said I am now just waiting for it to be finalised.

"I do not know what the hold-up is but what I do know is that for the sake of the club it needs to be sorted. There are a lot of concerned people in Weymouth and my concerns are the same.

"Since coming over here I can see what potential there is for the club and the whole community.

"My intentions are to fully establish Weymouth Football Club and make it a club that reflects well on the town. With the Olympics coming and all the interest Weymouth is generating and the fact property prices are going up, the whole atmosphere proves that pending success is on the way."

Under Bush's deal the club will retain all its assets, including the ownership of the Wessex Stadium which at one point was very much in doubt.

At one stage Mr Harrison was negotiating with property developer Malcolm Curtis but he wanted to own the ground and lease it back to the club.

Mr Curtis, managing director of Project 20, which is developing the site of the former Methodist Church in Weymouth, also wanted to develop the surrounding areas at Radipole Lane.

Mr Harrison came to the conclusion that the deal was not in the best interests of the club and began talking with journalist Mr Ridley.

The Mail on Sunday reporter agreed a deal that would see Park Engineering director Dave Higson, the club's main sponsor, become vice-chairman and a new share issue be introduced to guarantee a wider ownership.

The share issue was designed to run over the next two years with shares being offered to the Terras' Supporters Trust, who would then assume control of the club when the time was right.

Mr Ridley travelled to Weymouth to finalise the deal but he ended up withdrawing his offer after details of the takeover were leaked on to the club's Internet forum.

Mr Bush is now in the driving seat to acquire the club and it is understood that Jason Tindall is on red alert to return from a break in America once the deal is finalised.

Mr Tindall, has so far been unable to sign any of his players for the forthcoming campaign and with pre-season training scheduled to start early next month time is clearly against him.