Athletics has been the loser since Brighton and Hove Albion moved into Withdean Stadium in 1998.

The recent provision of more seating for the Albion only goes to underline this. Where, for example are the long jump and triple jump pits going to go, as the new stand is due to be erected on top of the existing pits?

The track is in a poor state of repair and lane eight is no longer usable as the steps to the stands along the back straight overlap into the lane. The track has also been patch repaired in places and is a hard surface to run on.

As a veteran athlete, I have had the pleasure of visiting four excellent Sussex tracks this year.

The surfaces at Hastings, Lewes, Eastbourne and Worthing are all in a much better state of repair. They are also well maintained and jump pits and other equipment are excellent.

Withdean is a much better stadium than all four but the track needs ripping up and replacing with some urgency.

Brighton is fortunate to have three thriving athletics clubs, which all utilise the stadium for training and all have to suffer cancelled training nights to facilitate the Albion on occasion.

I know there are moves afoot by Brighton and Hove Athletics Club to combine all three clubs into a superclub but I fail to see how this would improve matters at Withdean.

I'm all for the three clubs working together for the good of athletics at Withdean and I hope this will happen.

The London Olympics are only seven years away and after Britain's disastrous showing in the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki, we need top-quality facilities to nurture the talent of the future.

Withdean, with its improved floodlighting (a plus for the Albion that) is an ideal amphitheatre to stage top-flight athletics meetings and Brighton and Hove City Council should be looking to the future and spending some of the rent paid by the football club on overhauling and improving facilities at the stadium.

-Robin Adams, Rottingdean