Lifelong Brighton fan Des Lynam has criticised council bosses for not doing enough to build a new stadium for the club.

The celebrity launched the rallying cry just days after his heroes were promoted to Division Two.

Des, who has a home at Kingston Gorse, East Preston, said the council needed to "really get behind the club" and accused it of dragging its feet.

The sports presenter said it was essential for councillors to act positively so the Seagulls could build on their new status.

He said: "With Brighton and Hove now a city, I would like to see the local council be much more positive about making sure that there is continuity for the Albion.

"The council needs to get behind the club in a very positive way, not just sit back and say, 'We'll do what we can'.

"It shouldn't be up to just one or two individuals to put their hands in their pockets to keep their football club going."

The council has included a community stadium at Falmer, north-east of Brighton, in its draft local plan.

A council-wide referendum two years ago showed support for the club's vision, with almost 45,000 voters in favour of Falmer and fewer than 22,000 against.

Albion are involved in detailed discussions with Sussex and Brighton universities, who are both involved in the project.

Once these negotiations are finished, the club hopes to submit its planning application in June, with the council voting around the end of this year and a public inquiry likely to follow.

But a spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We are a bit surprised by this and it is a shame.

"The council is hardly sitting back and doing nothing. We are talking about millions of pounds of land, which is a fundamental part of the development.

"We are working very closely with the club and speaking with them regularly. But for the council's action, the club would still be playing at Gillingham."