The local authority's bid for City of Culture status is laughable when it can't even be pro-active enough to sort out the issues of Brighton and Hove Albion's stadium.

The value to the city of a first-division football club in terms of exposure is huge. It's a symbolic asset that puts us on a par with the top few dozen cities in the country - and yet they're expected to carry out their business in the spectacular inadequacy of Withdean.

Until this is resolved, Withdean will remain a striking monument to short-sighted leadership that is simply not up to the job.

If the perfectly good application for Falmer is turned down, the fans would be justified in following the Charlton example of putting up candidates in local elections.

It was amazing how the impossible suddenly became possible when some critical votes were at stake.

-Bob Brimson, George Street, Brighton