Sports personality Des Lynham has added his voice to the campaign for a new stadium for Brighton and Hove Albion.

Giving evidence at a public inquiry into controversial proposals to build the Seagulls a new home in Falmer, TV's Mr Smooth spoke passionately about the club saying it is his: "first love."

He told inspectors that without a new ground the Albion could be squeezed out of existence, adding: "That would be a tragedy."

Des, who fronts ITV1's flagship football show 'The Premiership' said he had been a loyal supporter of the team since childhood.

He said: "I have been a supporter of the club for just about half of its existence.

"It's responsible for my love of football and indirectly my career as a sports broadcaster.

"I've been to seven Olympic Games, World Cups and World Title fights, but Brighton and Hove Albion has remained my first love in sport and I am far from unique in that respect."

Mr Lynham, who began his broadcasting career on Radio Brighton in 1968 and still lives in Sussex, is the latest of many witnesses who have given evidence to the panel in support of the application to planning inspector John Collyer.

Immaculately dressed in a pale shirt, blue tie, blazer and trousers he arrived at 10.55am and parked his silver saloon opposite Hove Town Hall.

After a short tussle with he intricacies of a parking meter, he spoke briefly to the waiting press outside before being greeted by Albion chief executive, Martin Perry.

He sat down next to Mr Perry as fellow witness, ecologist Andrew Arnott, finished giving his speech.

Mr Arnott told the inquiry that the construction of a 22,000 all-seater stadium to replace the team's temporary home at Withdean would not have a major impact on the populations of badgers and bats.

Then it was the presenter's turn to address the hearing.

He asked that all cameras be switched off while he gave his evidence but said he would be available to talk to the assembled press afterwards.

As Mr Lynham began speaking he was told to turn on his microphone and joked: "I normally have people to do that for me."

Reading a ten-minute statement to the panel of inspectors he said he had met fans of the Seagulls from as far afield as Canada, New Zealand and China.

He added: "Elsewhere in England many clubs have seen the need for modern stadia and modern facilities. The tradition and history remains but the supporters are treated with more comfort than their 19th Century predecessors.

"It would be a tragedy if the club's life came to an end. As most people know, that has come close to reality on at least two occasions when the club was both homeless and perilously close to league extinction."

Afterwards Mr Lynham told reporters: "I underlined how important it is for a city of the standing of Brighton and Hove to have a proper stadium.

"It is ludicrous that a club with a history going back 100 years can survive in a converted athletic stadium.

"The club has looked at other sites and Falmer is the only viable one. There are times when a city has to think not only of the present but also of the future."