This is D-Day. Brighton and Hove Albion should find out if they can have a new stadium today.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has made his decision on plans for a 22,000-seat stadium at Falmer.

He has signed a letter, spelling out his verdict, which is expected to land on Albion's doorstep this morning.

Everyone involved in the long-running planning saga has been told to expect the letter - ending years of agonising delays.

Whether or not Mr Prescott has answered Albion's prayers and said "Yes" to the stadium remained a secret to all but the Deputy Prime Minister's closest colleagues last night.

But an announcement is expected at any moment - telling Seagulls supporters everywhere if their dreams have been fulfilled or dashed.

The Seagulls are desperate to leave their ill-suited temporary home at Withdean, so Mr Prescott's decision is crucial.

The letter is the final result of a public inquiry into plans for the stadium at Village Way North in Falmer.

Mr Prescott's decision will determine the future of the Albion.

It is also crucial for sports clubs across the community which would have access to the stadium facilities.

Albion chairman Dick Knight said the club had done everything in its power to get the go-ahead for the new stadium.

The club has been without a home since the Goldstone Ground was sold in 1997 and have been playing at the 6,500-capacity athletics stadium at Withdean since 1999, following a spell groundsharing at Gillingham.

Mr Knight said: "We have campaigned very hard. Not only in Brighton, but the whole of the football community have campaigned to make an impression on John Prescott, and I think we have.

"It has been an incredibly good-humoured campaign, not in any way confrontational, and it has been a national campaign that has shown Brighton need a new stadium.

"Brighton cannot compete with other big-name clubs if we do not have this stadium.

"All we want is a level playing field and we just hope that John Prescott has got the message."

The club's solicitors, DMHStallard, are likely to be the first to learn what Mr Prescott has decided.

The letter is expected to arrive at their offices and, unless there are delivery problems, it should arrive today.

Included in the envelope will be Mr Prescott's final ruling and the details of inspector David Brier's finished report which will run into hundreds of pages. The same document will fall through the letterbox of a handful of key organisations consulted during the inquiry, including Lewes District Council, Falmer Parish Council, the Regency Society and the Friends of Sheepcote Valley.

Councillor Ken Bodfish, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "Our understanding is that the letter has been signed by John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, and will be sent to the Albion and other parties, including ourselves. We do not know the contents but we hope to know early today. Some people are saying as early as 8am, but we cannot guarantee it."

Fans were told to expect a final answer by October 31.

They have been counting down the days with The Argus but today the agonising wait should be over.