Albion today announced an average five per cent rise in season ticket prices at Withdean for next season.

But it is not all bad news for the Seagulls' most loyal fans. They will be given more chance to buy seats for big away games after the club came under fire for the system used for the FA Cup tie at Tottenham last month.

Albion have adopted the same three-stage structure for season ticket packages, first introduced last year.

The biggest of a range of savings are on offer for early renewal and payment by lump sum, but prices are going up for the first time in four years "to help the club remain competitive on the pitch" while they continue the fight for a new stadium at Falmer.

Chairman Dick Knight said: "Following our unforgettable Millennium experience, we knew we would face a tremendous challenge back in the Championship.

"The players and management team deserve huge credit for what they have achieved this year, with some big-name clubs humbled.

"It has been a special treat to see so many players from our excellent youth set-up get into the team and do so well.

"The promise that there's never a dull moment following the Albion lives on.

"Who would have predicted the end to last season? Or the emerging quality of our team, revealed this year at Withdean and at great arenas around the country?

"And who in their worst nightmares would have dreamt that after six gruelling years we would still be battling for our own new stadium?"

Supporters with an eye on Falmer have an option again of a three-year season ticket, with the annual price held at 2002-03 levels.

Meanwhile, 50 per cent of Albion's allocation for big away games will in future be set aside for seven days for season ticket holders, on the basis of one ticket per person.

The same system will apply for seats set aside for away scheme members who do not have a season ticket.

Albion were inundated by complaints from season ticket holders who were not given priority and did not get a seat for the Spurs tie.

A club statement said: "We have analysed the pattern of ticket sales over all our away games this season and it shows, excluding the Tottenham game, on average 11 per cent of our total season ticket holders go regularly to away games.

"For the Tottenham game the demand was far greater, but nevertheless 42 per cent of all season ticket holders obtained a ticket. We hope that by adopting this away ticket policy supporters will be reassured the process is as transparent as we can make it.

"We believe it is fair to both season ticket holders, without whom the club cannot survive, but also to those who spend a great deal of money and time providing the best away support in the Football League."

The Alive and Kicking Appeal, launched in September to help cover a £2 million shortfall in Albion's finances, has now raised over £282,000.