CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown wants to help UK sport build on the success of England's rugby union World Cup win.

Britain's 100,000 amateur sports clubs will be entitled to 80% rates relief by becoming a Community Amateur Sports Clubs, Mr Brown announced.

The move should be worth between £1,000 and £3,000 to the typical club, he told MPs in his pre-Budget report.

They will also benefit from a doubling of the threshold at which they start paying corporation tax, to £50,000.

"The importance of sport to our communities and to our whole country has been demonstrated most powerfully as the England Rugby World Cup triumph is enthusiastically celebrated throughout the whole of the United Kingdom," Mr Brown said.

He added: "In partnership with the sports governing bodies we will work to ensure that all sports clubs - over 100 in each constituency - can share in the considerable financial benefits as they promote sports in their communities."

The chancellor also announced he would be reviewing the tax position of supporters' trusts for football clubs.

Supporters Direct, a government-backed organisation which helps fans set up trusts and get involved in owning and running their clubs, welcomed Gordon Brown's decision.

Chairman Andy Burnham MP said trusts across the country would be "delighted" by the news.

He added: "It is recognition of the huge role trusts are playing in saving some of our game's great club names and in bringing the game back to its community roots.

"Despite the present financial difficulties the game faces, we now have a chance to steer the game away from the unhealthy money culture of private greed and back to community values."