Brighton and Hove Albion fans are urging fellow supporters to back the General Election candidate who best supports the club's Falmer stadium bid.

The delayed public inquiry into the 22,000-seat arena has turned the longrunning Falmer saga into an unexpected election issue in Sussex.

Seagulls supporters had hoped for a final verdict from Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott before Parliament was dissolved but the hearing has over-run and will now finish on May 5, election day.

The main political parties are acutely aware of the fans' power at the ballot box and Falmer has been moved to the top of the agenda by many.

A negative verdict before the election would have seen hundreds of Albion fans desert Labour in protest but now there is still all to play for. Campaign group Falmer For All has written to every election candidate in Sussex asking if they support the Falmer proposal and will publish a full list of results in the match day programme when Albion take on West Ham at Withdean on Saturday.

Albion manager Mark McGhee has also written to candidates in his constituency of Brighton Kemp Town canvassing their stadium views.

Conservative hopefuls in Hove and Portslade and Brighton Pavilion are hoping to cash in on the stadium uncertainty by pushing a pro-Falmer message in a bid to snatch vital votes and reclaim the seats from Labour.

But the Tory prospective candidate in Kemp Town, David Logan, was dropped partly because of his pro-Falmer stance after concerns in the community about the traffic impact.

He was replaced by Judith Symes, who promotes "a stadium" rather han directly championing Falmer.

The Lib Dems have mixed opinions, ranging from full backing in Hove and Portslade to fierce opposition in Lewes.

Labour candidates continue to support Falmer although some are more positive than others.

Even the Greens, to whom the prospect of development on an area of outstanding natural beauty would usually be appalling, give Falmer a cautious welcome.

Falmer For All chairman Paul Samrah said: "I think people need to know how their candidates stand in order to inform their vote.

"The electorate holds the power and if you want Falmer you should vote for the candidate who best represents that."