A council leading the opposition to Brighton and Hove Albion's bid for a new stadium at Falmer has earmarked an extra £35,000 for the cause.

Lewes District Council's ruling Cabinet has agreed to commit more money towards the reopened public inquiry into the long-running stadium saga.

Lewes-based Albion supporters claim the council is wasting taxpayers' money to deny the club a much-needed new home.

The extra costs - if approved by full council on October 6 - will take its spending on the inquiry to about £125,000.

Campaigners point out that 4,958 people from Lewes were among more than 61,000 who signed a pro-stadium petition. But council leader Ann De Vecchi told The Argus the authority remained committed to opposing the stadium and an extra £35,000 was "a pretty modest amount".

A spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrat-controlled council said: "The reopening of the inquiry means we have to make representations and the extra cost is for the barrister and specialist advice."

Pro-stadium Lib Dems in Brighton and Hove believe Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is to blame for reopening the inquiry instead of making a firm decision last July.

Albion expect to have spent £3 million by the time a decision is reached.

Paul Elgood, leader of the Lib Dems on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "To prolong the inquiry helps nobody. It's an expensive process and the club has been left in a state of flux."

Mark Barnard, Lib Dem candidate in next month's Hangleton and Knoll by-election, said: "Labour seem to be using the stadium as a political football.

"I think Prescott will say yes just before the general election.

Lib Dem Lewes MP Norman Baker, who opposes a stadium at Falmer, recently accused Mr Prescott of dodging a decision to save the three Labour MPs in Brighton and Hove. A spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister strongly refuted the allegation.

The public inquiry, scrutinising the viability of seven other suggested sites, will reopen in January.

Albion supporters will march in Brighton on September 27 at the Labour Party conference to promote Falmer as the only viable site.

The Hangleton and Knoll by-election takes place on October 7.

Other candidates include Eddy Sears for Labour, Dawn Barnett for the Conservatives, Elizabeth Wakefield for the Green Party, and as-yet-unnamed representatives of Respect and the newly formed Motorists, Equity and Unity Party.