Football fans have cried foul after councillors were caught using their club's logo for electioneering without permission.

Brighton and Hove Albion chairman Dick Knight has joined criticism of Councillor Brian Fitch for including the club's badge in his election leaflets.

Coun Fitch and two other Labour candidates for the Hangleton and Knoll ward used the logo to accompany their commitment to helping the Falmer stadium plans.

Supporters were worried the club had allowed itself to be used for party political purposes in the run-up to the May council elections.

But Mr Knight told The Argus: "We were not asked in advance. If a request had been made, it would have been politely refused. Party politics has no place in football."

Coun Fitch said the leaflet intended to show Labour's commitment to Albion and not the other way around.

He said: "The person doing the artwork downloaded the logo from a web site, to break up the text and liven up the leaflet. No offence was meant.

"We used the logo twice but we won't use it any more because the people have made their feelings plain."