John Prescott's in-tray was overflowing this morning with the heart-felt pleas of Albion fans for a stadium at Falmer.

The Deputy Prime Minister took delivery of hundreds of messages from readers of The Argus demanding a successful outcome to the stadium bid.

Brighton and Hove's Labour MPs, David Lepper, Des Turner and Celia Barlow, delivered the demands personally to Mr Prescott's office in Whitehall.

They also handed his office a copy of last Wednesday's Argus, which featured a front page open letter warning Mr Prescott: "The time has come".

The MPs have joined The Argus and its readers in stepping up the pressure on the Deputy Prime Minister as he prepares to make a decision.

Ms Barlow, newly-elected to represent Hove in the Commons, said: "When John Prescott visited Seagulls fans in Hove he said he had been lobbied all over the country on the Falmer issue.

"I hope these heart-felt pleas from Albion fans will make him realise that people's passion for their team and for the Falmer option are burning more brightly than ever."

Mr Lepper, MP for Brighton Pavilion, added: "What we want to do as the three MPs for the city is keep showing John Prescott as often as possible just how important the stadium is for Brighton and Hove."

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced a deadline for the outcome of October 31.

Brighton Kemptown MP Dr Turner said the decision came at a crucial time in the club's history.

The Albion had a chance of out-shining their south-east rivals Southampton, who were relegated from the Premiership this month.

Dr Turner said: "There aren't many large teams in the south-east and this makes the Albion doubly important. We now have the opportunity of Albion getting into the Premiership before Southampton."

The Argus has been inundated with support from Albion fans for a purpose-built 22,000-seat stadium at Falmer.

They now enter the final months of a six-year planning struggle.

The recently-completed planning inquiry is expected to report in the summer.

Ms Barlow has pledged to play the biggest role she can in the fight for a new stadium after holding on to marginal Hove for Labour on May 5. She said: "I'm determined to try to do something every day to bring us closer to a stadium at Falmer."

Ms Barlow recently used a Whitehall engagement to bend the ear of Keith Hill, former planning minister and now parliamentary private secretary to the Prime Minister. She said: "I was speaking to him for about 20 minutes and 95 per cent of that time was dedicated to Falmer."

Mr Prescott refused to comment on the strength of support for the Falmer option last night.

His spokeswoman said: "It wouldn't be appropriate to provide any comment given where we are in terms of the decision."