The long-awaited decision on a new community stadium for the Seagulls is expected tomorrow.

A decision has been made by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and the main parties involved will be told by post in the morning.

The judgement comes after a long-running public inquiry into the 22,000-seat stadium at Village Way North in Falmer.

The Government called it in for inquiry after Brighton and Hove City Council had granted approval.

Another inquiry was held into the Local Plan which included the site and that inspector ruled against the Falmer Stadium.

The report of the inspector who held the Falmer inquiry was delivered weeks ago to Mr Prescott who has taken his time in making a decision.

There has been strong secrecy over the result and none of the parties has been told anything in advance.

Mr Prescott and his advisers will have taken great care to make sure the decision is legally watertight.

Ken Bodfish, leader of the council which backed the stadium at the inquiry, confirmed the imminent announcement and said: "We await the result with bated breath."

Albion were also backed by many sports and business organisations who believe the stadium will be good for the city.

But there was strong and sustained opposition from conservation organisations and from residents in the nearby village of Falmer.

The Seagulls are currently playing home matches at a temporary home in Withdean Stadium which has a small capacity and is essentially a running track.

On Sunday last week, thousands of fans braved rain for a victory parade as the club celebrated its third promotion in four years.

In May, Albion were promoted from Division Two after winning the play offs final at Cardiff.

Falmer was chosen from a list of other possible sites in the city including Shoreham Harbour, Brighton Station, Waterhall Valley, Toad's Hole Valley and Sheepcote Valley.

Experts advised the club and council that these sites either were not available or had far bigger disadvantages than Falmer.