Brighton and Hove Albion have accused opponents of Falmer stadium of using cynical tactics to delay the reopened public inquiry.

The inquiry, reopened by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to explore possible alternative sites for a 22,000-seat stadium, was due to start on January 11.

However, it was put off after staunch opponent Lewes District Council said one of its key witnesses was unavailable.

The club and Brighton and Hove City Council agreed to bring the inquiry forward to December 1.

However, the district council said it was unable to prepare fresh evidence in time.

Yesterday, a new date was set for February 1, 2005, meaning the three-week inquiry will not finish until February 18.

Albion chairman Dick Knight said: "These cynical moves by Lewes Council are designed to delay the reopened inquiry and I am at a loss to understand why the Planning Inspectorate has let it get away with it.

"No doubt Lewes Council and Lewes MP Norman Baker are hoping to delay the stadium decision until after the General Election to scupper the planning application and put the Albion's future in jeopardy.

"John Prescott and his advisers should not be fooled by these devious tactics.

"Allowing six weeks for the inspector to submit his report means it will be on Mr Prescott's desk by April, leaving enough time for the decision to be made before the earliest date for a General Election."

Albion chief executive Martin Perry called the delays "totally unnecessary" and urged supporters to ram home the message that Falmer is the only stadium option when they march in Brighton today to lobby delegates at the Labour conference.

He said: "We have far more work to do than Lewes and if our team could prepare their evidence in time for an earlier date, then so could Lewes.

"We call on all fans to join us in the march to demonstrate not only how much support there is for this project but also to draw attention to the shabby way in which opponents are trying to frustrate the process."

Lewes District Council leader Ann De Vecchi has said January was too soon because consultants and legal representatives would not be free.

She blamed Mr Prescott, saying: "John Prescott had the report from the planning inspector last December. He only published his reasons for holding another inquiry in July. The inefficiency lies with him."