A mini-stadium fit for international football stars could be built for the annual battle of Brighton beach.

Organisers of the Kronenbourg Cup, which returns at the end of the month, are hoping to make Brighton the beach football capital of Britain.

They say a permanent stadium would add to the event's prestige and pave the way for future tournaments.

Also, with about 4,000 seats and corporate facilities, it could be used for other events such as horse shows, concerts, netball and basketball tournaments.

Last year, more than 9,000 spectators watched as big names such as Eric Cantona, who returns this year, battled it out over three days on 40 tons of sand.

The Argus is among the sponsors for this year's event.

Lucinda Harding, of Octagon, part of the team behind Pro Beach Soccer, said: "There have been talks with the council about bringing beach soccer permanently to a site in Brighton in a mini stadium.

"We would love to make Brighton the British capital of beach football. We have been welcomed by the council and the tournament has been enthusiastically received by fans in the city. We are all looking forward to coming back the weekend after next and the weather looks good."

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We are looking at providing a permanent site for the beach soccer, which would secure the beach soccer tournament for the next five years but no plans have yet been submitted.

"A concrete base could be put down and there could be structures for use as changing rooms."

This year's event runs from June 27 to 29.

Tickets can be bought from the ticket hotline 0870 900 9100 or at www.ukbeachsoccer.com