AFC BOURNEMOUTH looks to have been saved from extinction after two last-minute bids were put forward to buy the troubled football club on Monday.

With the two new written bids for the Cherries on the table of the administrator Gerald Krasner last night, long-suffering fans will now almost certainly see professional football at Dean Court beyond this season.

Creditors, which include Dorset Police and Bournemouth Borough Council, yesterday met at the stadium to vote on a Corporate Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), but with HM Revenue and Customs rejecting the plans, gaining the required 75 per cent approval was always going to be a lost cause for Mr Krasner.

The fresh bids are understood to be from two consortia, one fronted by Cherries chairman Jeff Mostyn and the other by international businessman Marc Jackson.

Sandbanks property developer Eddie Mitchell, who built the "Thunderbird" house in Branksome Park, is believed to be part of Mr Mostyn's latest consortium.

Mr Mostyn and Mr Jackson, together with Cherries vice-chairman Steve Sly, had previously made an offer of £1million for the club, but that bid was withdrawn late last week after the trio's consortium broke down due to "contractual issues".

The two new offers will now be considered by Mr Krasner - with the Begbies Traynor expert expected to reveal the successful buyer either this afternoon or tomorrow.

While Mr Krasner would not be drawn on the financial details of the bids, meanwhile, the failure of the CVA means Cherries could face a further points deduction from the Football League next season for failing to comply with league rules on insolvency.