A cricket club has told councillors that the outfield at its ground is in such a poor condition it has become dangerous for players.

Brighton and Hove Cricket Club has been based for more than ten years at the Nevill Sports Ground off Nevill Avenue in Hove.

Spokesman Dick Roberts said the main problem was caused by severe damage caused to the outfield each winter by senior football.

The club has asked Brighton and Hove City Council to replace the senior football pitches with junior pitches, causing less damage, but this has not been done.

It is now about to give evidence to a scrutiny panel set up by the council to consider the future of sports pitches in the city.

Mr Roberts said: "Our problems have centred on the condition of the outfield which is not only dangerous for our players and opponents but also threatens the senior status of the club.

"The council has attempted to improve the condition of the outfield but its efforts have been thwarted by ineffective management."

Mr Roberts said the club had invested a lot of money in the ground, including building a clubroom, improving the two cricket squares and installing two artificial pitches and practice nets which were also used by secondary schools.

An independent report two years ago described the Nevill as a key cricket venue and recommended a staged transition to junior and women's football on all four winter pitches.

The panel will consider the club's evidence, details from other sports clubs and evidence from its own officers before producing a report.

We reported earlier this month how many cricket clubs had refused to play in Brighton and Hove because conditions were so poor.

Club organisers told councillors urgent improvements were needed to pitches and pavilions in the city.

Cricketing councillor Geoffrey Theobald said then some top cricket clubs had already abandoned the city.

The special scrutiny panel was set up by the council to look at whether a new sports pavilion should be built at Patcham Place to replace one destroyed by fire.

The council had decided not to replace it because of the high cost. Compensation money would be spread around other grounds.

The panel will meet at least twice more before putting recommendations to the council.