Football pundit Des Lynam will give evidence at a public inquiry into the future of his favourite club.

The hearing into a proposed community stadium at Falmer for Brighton and Hove Albion, opens at Hove Town Hall on Tuesday February 18.

Mr Lynam, a lifelong fan, will be the last of 17 witnesses called by the club and will appear on Friday March 7.

First witness will be chief executive Martin Perry, whose evidence is expected to last for more than a day. Chairman Dick Knight will also speak.

There will be a series of technical witnesses plus Football League solicitor Nick Craig, and FA chief executive David Davies.

After 12 days of club evidence, ending with Des Lynam, the inquiry will adjourn until March 18 when Brighton and Hove City Council will offer its views in support of the club.

It will be followed by Lewes District Council and Sport England before the combined parish councils at Falmer and Rottingdean, who will put up 16 witnesses.

Among them will be Lewes MP Norman Baker and Professor Sir Harry Kroto, the Nobel Prize winner who is an expert on chemistry. He will give the academic view.

Sussex University, the Society of Sussex Downsmen, Sussex Police, the Council for the Protection of Rural England and individual objectors are also expected to give their views.

So far, the inquiry is due to last until April 4 but more sittings could be likely.

l Brighton and Hove Albion have been given permission by their landlords to stay at Withdean Stadium for another two seasons. On Tuesday, the club was given planning permission to remain at the temporary stadium until the end of the 2004/2005 season and add an extra 2,000 seats.