Brighton and Hove Albion fans will field candidates at next year's local elections in the hope of snatching up to 15,000 votes on Lewes District Council.

The Seagulls Party was launched yesterday with a Press conference at Pelham House, Lewes, after its registration with the Electoral Commission.

Falmer For All Campaign chairman Paul Samrah will lead The Seagulls Party and declared Lewes District Council his prime target.

The council was meeting today to decide whether to go ahead with its High Court challenge to planning permission for the Falmer stadium.

Mr Samrah said: "With the new round of council elections less than a year away, we believe the time is right for the launch of this new political party.

"Recent developments - including selective photo editing in council publications - have brought Lewes District Council into question.

"In particular, the continued obduracy of the council and its complete disregard for the view of thousands of local residents has led us to take this action."

He said the party had been born out of "frustration and anger" at the political process that has delayed the stadium.

It is seven years since The Argus-backed Falmer stadium scheme won support in a Brighton and Hove referendum and four years since the planning application was passed by Brighton and Hove City Council.

Lewes District Council has spent more than £250,000 opposing the stadium.

Mr Samrah said: "At no point has the council ever asked its residents for their views - certainly not by way of a referendum.

"However, when Lewes District Council announced its challenge to the planning permission, stadium campaigners took less than seven days to amass over 5,000 signatures from Lewes district residents."

Asked about the party's chances of winning votes, Mr Samrah said: "We have strong support right across the Lewes district, from Newick to Newhaven and from Seaford to Saltdean.

"Make no mistake, we are very serious in our aims. Anyone looking for a precedent need look no further than The Valley Party, which 15 years ago attracted over 14,000 votes in favour of Charlton Athletic's stadium when it fought local elections in south-east London."

He called on the council to drop its court challenge and accept the decision of new Secretary of State Ruth Kelly, whichever way it goes.

Mr Samrah added: "A second challenge would only add weight to the view that the district council is trying to delay the decision in the hope that Brighton and Hove Albion goes bust in the meantime."

Long-time stadium campaigner Adrian Newnham will be the party's deputy leader while Albion supporters' club chairman Tim Carder will be secretary and nominating officer.

Mr Samrah said candidates would all be Lewes residents and able to serve as councillors if elected.

A Lewes District Council spokeswoman said: "Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have the highest levels of landscape protection and Mr Prescott has set aside these policies.

"We are not anti-football and we do believe the football club should have a stadium but not at Falmer."

The party's website is www.seagullsparty.org