A Sussex rugby club has been threatened with legal action if it fails to provide parking facilities.

The club promised to create parking bays for fans when planning permission was granted for new pitches and a club house in 2000.

Despite Hove RFC building a new club house last year, the parking spaces have yet to materialise.

The club, which has its base at Hove Recreation Ground, off the Old Shoreham Road, has been warned by Brighton and Hove City Council the bays must be put in place by September or legal action could be taken.

The club's move to the ground from its former home of Hove Park caused uproar among residents when it took place several years ago.

Since the move, residents have complained about the parking on match days.

Fans often park in Shirley Drive and surrounding roads, damaging the grass verges and disrupting traffic.

Last month, residents signed a petition, which was presented to the council by independent councillor Jayne Bennett.

Councillor Bennett, chairwoman of the Hove Park Residents' Association, said there had been chaos during a children's rugby festival on Sunday, March 16.

Coun Bennett said: "I had lots of phone calls complaining about the problem.

"There were cars parked on both sides of some roads and an ambulance had trouble getting between the cars.

"The club was supposed to install the spaces under an agreement with the council."

At a planning committee meeting, councillors agreed action needed to be taken to spur the club into action.

Committee vice-chairman Bob Carden said: "When we gave the club permission to alter the pitches and put up their club house, there was an agreement requesting when they went ahead with the work, parking bays would be put in place.

"The club hasn't done this and we have given them until the end of the season in September to complete the bays."

If the club fails to carry out the work, legal action could be taken.

A council spokesman said: "We have authorised legal proceedings to secure compliance with the terms of the planning agreement.

"We are in discussions with the club about this and very much hope it will be resolved soon."

Club secretary Andy Ward said the club only had plans for parking lay-bys approved by the council in February.

He said: "We would love to comply but we've only just been given approval.

"We are speaking to council officers about which contractors we are allowed to use."