Brighton and Hove Albion fans can raise a toast to the new Falmer stadium - after a real ale was brewed in its honour.

The champagne corks were popping earlier this month when opponents dropped their fight against the £50 million scheme.

Now the new beer - Falmer For Ale - has been brewed to celebrate the final go-ahead. It has been concocted by award-winning Haywards Heathbased brewers Dark Star and is now on sale in selected Sussex pubs.

Roy Chuter, landlord of the Duke of Wellington in Shoreham, said: "The idea came about to mark the end of the long battle we've faced.

"It's 4.1 per cent and is quite a hoppy beer.

"The name is derived from the Falmer For All campaign which was so influential in the success. It's been a long, long time and I think all Albion fans deserve a drink."

The dream finally came true for the Seagulls when the September 4 deadline for appeals passed quietly.

Falmer Parish Council, Lewes District Council, the South Downs Society and the Council to Protect Rural England, among others, all said they would not launch another legal challenge against the Government's decision to grant permission to build the stadium.

It signalled the end of a ten-year battle for a permanent home after the club was forced to leave the Goldstone Ground - sold off to developers by former chairman Bill Archer. The new beer was flowing at a Falmer party held at The Romans in Manor Hall Way, Southwick, on Saturday.

Landlord Chris Pobjoy was rolling back the years and selling beer at 1997 prices to anyone in Albion blue and white.

He said: "I wanted to do something that would recognise it has been a decade since we left the Goldstone.

"We've come a long way and all Albion fans know how hard it has been. Now the light is there at the end of the tunnel and it is time to allow ourselves a drink."

Other pubs selling the brew are the Evening Star in Surrey Street Brighton, and the Stanley Arms in Portslade.

Meanwhile, a Sixties bus was due to take Albion fans on a celebration tour after Saturday's match, including stops at all four pubs.

Falmer For Ale will be available while stocks last.