A CAMPAIGN calling on the Government to hurry up and give Brighton and Hove Albion the go-ahead to build a new stadium is growing.

The club's heroics against Ipswich at the weekend have ensured their survival in the Championship but supporters want the security of knowing the team will be getting a permanent home.

The Argus is inviting fans to write to the Government via the paper, spelling out just why a 22,000 ground at Falmer is needed.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Ken Bodfish has added his voice to the call for a decision on the public inquiry on Falmer to be made sooner rather than later.

He said: "For me the Albion's achievement in staying up this year ranks with any in the club's history.

"How manager Mark McGhee has managed it on the shoestring budget at his disposal I will never know. It's a great tribute to the commitment shown by everyone - from the players to Dick Knight and all the fans who have bought tickets.

"However, let us not forget that for every fan who has bought a ticket there are at least another two or three that couldn't get a ticket because there isn't enough room at the Withdean stadium.

"The real celebrating can only start when the Falmer stadium has been given the go-ahead.

"This city needs and deserves the new stadium and we need the go-ahead now."

Supporters say Falmer is the only viable site for the arena and each of the 11 suggested alternatives are unrealistic.

People can either fill out the specially-printed form, above, with their message or email it in. And responses have already started to arrive to us.

The Argus will collect all messages sent and publish a selection of them before delivering them to Government offices in London.

Club chief executive Martin Perry said at the weekend there was only one site for a community stadium in Brighton and Hove which was sustainable, viable and available, and called on the Government to give permission for the Falmer application.

Well-known Albion fans Des Lynam and Fatboy Slim have both backed the campaign for a new stadium and were at the Withdean in full voice on Sunday to cheer the club on.

Albion fan Ailsa Parker, 38, from Brighton, also backed the call.

She said: "I will certainly be writing and I will be telling the Government if it doesn't give us the Falmer decision then it will be responsible for destroying a football club's future."

Send your Argus coupons to Argus House, Crowhurst road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 8AR or email news@theargus. co.uk marking the email with Message to the Labour Government.