More park and ride facilities are needed to get fans to Brighton and Hove Albion's proposed community stadium, says Lord Bassam.

The Labour peer and former Brighton council leader is urging councillors to get behind the stadium plan for Falmer when planners meet on Wednesday to decide its fate.

However, he said transport was the big environmental issue.

Lord Bassam, former council leader in Bright-on and Hove, said the club ensured many fans travelled to the temporary stadium at Withdean by bus and train.

It has planned for 70 per cent of fans to travel to Falmer by public transport. However, Lord Bassam believes park and ride schemes are needed to encourage fans not to travel by car.

Lord Bassam said: "With additional park and ride links into stations to the east of Brighton at Lewes and Eastbourne, I believe the numbers could be even higher, especially if there is co-operation from other local authorities with significant numbers of Albion fans living in their area."

Lord Bassam, a football fan, said it was time for those involved in local politics to put aside differences and work to make the scheme happen in the broader interests of the club and the city.

He said: "The very positive support given to the club's application should be seized upon by politicians of all parties as an opportunity for the city and the whole region.

"The stadium as a home for the Albion will create at least 600 full-time jobs - the largest job generating investment to have happened in the city for more than 20 years.

"It will put the club and the city in the premier league of visitor attractions and confirm the Albion as the region's leading club.

"Placing the new community stadium on the edge of a new national park next to two university campuses will provide an interesting visual gateway into the city from the east.

"The planners have boldly accepted the challenge. Now the politicians should do the same."

Woodingdean councillor Geoff Wells said: "I'm a great believer in park and ride but I don't believe enough people will use it to go to the Albion at Falmer."

He said he supported the Albion but felt Toad's Hole Valley in Hove would be a better site.

He said: "My feeling is that the planning committee will be under pressure to approve it but it may not get through a public inquiry."