It's the itsy bitsy teeny weeny blue and white Seagulls bikini

6:18am Wednesday 1st August 2007

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Traditionally football fans have worn shirts and waved scarves to show their allegiance.

But Brighton and Hove Albion's burgeoning army of female supporters prefer an altogether more sassy uniform.

They are celebrating the prospect of a new stadium at Falmer by splashing out on a new Seagulls bikini.

It features the club's blue and white colours and logo and is embroidered with a saucy Seagulls logo on the bottom.

A few sirens have been turning heads with the sexy outfits at football matches and the hope is that the swimwear will become this summer's must-have item of beachwear.

Designer Lesley Miranda set up Brighton-based fashion label Worship and Glory, in Old Shoreham Road, Hove, with her friend Puja Patel. She said: "I thought of the idea about four or five years ago because girls were ripping up their tops and I thought it would be good if there was a specific club-related outfit for them to wear instead.

"It would be fantastic if people wore them at matches as well as the beach and we're hoping it will make the perfect gift for Albion supporters.

"Brighton is the perfect club to launch the range with because it is a fun city by the sea with plenty of cool women who would want to wear the sexy item."

Lelsey and Puja hope the ensemble will be the first of a series of football bikinis and have already created sample designs for every Premiership team in the country - most of which have been shown to them.

They said they had lots of positive response from top teams such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea as well as smaller coastal clubs like Truro and plan to make up a range of designs next year.

The Seagulls Bikini costs £25 and is available from the Seagulls Shop in Queens Road, Brighton. Visit www.seagullshop.co.uk" for more information.

What do you think of the Albion bikini? Are they a step too far for football merchandise? Let us know below.