Norman Cook today urged the people of Brighton and Hove to get behind him and help bring his legendary seafront party back to his home city.

The DJ, alias Fatboy Slim, made the appeal after watching rock band Razorlight perform a surprise show to 4,500 fans on the seafront.

He says he needs the help of the public to push through plans for the return of one of his own now world famous outdoor concerts.

Cook, who lives in Hove with wife Zoe and son Woody, said he was desperate to hold another party, especially after he watched Razorlight entertain crowds of screaming fans.

He said: "We've done it all over the world now so why not here? It would be fantastic. But I think anything now is going to have to come from public pressure.

"Razorlight made me realise it can be done and even if it was a choice between playing in a similar set-up or nothing, I'd say yes.

"But the first time we did it we played to 65,000 people quite safely. We got a bit caught out on the second one because word of mouth escalated the numbers."

His previous attempts to stage another Normstock-style beach party met with opposition from police who feared a repeat of the overcrowding which brought the city to near meltdown in 2002.

More than 250,000 people descended on the beach, creating safety fears and leaving behind debris and broken glass.

Police have been encouraged to think again following the success of the Razorlight concert on Wednesday, the fourth anniversary of Cook's immense seafront show.

One of the main concerns of Sussex Police, apart from far too large a crowd, was that the shelved, tidal, pebble beach was not safe enough to stage any kind of music event where the audience would be dancing.

But police said they would be willing to discuss proposals for another Fatboy Slim event after Razorlight held their gig on level ground beside the West Pier.

Cook's latest push to bring a show back to his home city is a change of heart from how he felt after his last show four years ago when he told The Argus he would probably never stage another concert in the city.

Then he said: "I don't take safety issues lightly. I will only do it again if we can guarantee people's safety and if that many people are going to come, we can't."

However, both he and the police were impressed by the organisation of the Razorlight show by Vodaphone, which limited numbers by sending barcoded tickets to customers' mobiles allowing them entry to an exclusive VIP area for the free gig.

Information on where the band were playing was not released until the last minute.

l The Argus is asking readers to vote on whether another Fatboy Slim concert should go ahead in the city.

To tell us what you think, text SUFATBOY followed by a space, then your message and name to 88010. A text will cost your normal network rate only.

Or with views and suggestions on how and where a concert could be held, email news@theargus.co.uk .