Albion have released long-serving trio Kerry Mayo, Gary Hart and Guy Butters.

They are among TEN players not offered new contracts after the Seagulls narrowly missed out on the League One play-offs.

Paul Reid has also been released, along with David Martot, Sam Rents, Shane McFaul, Sonny Cobbs, Lloyd Skinner and Chris Winterton.

Five others have been offered new deals. The list of players retained surprisingly includes Doug Loft and Scott Chamberlain.

Mayo was told his 12-year career with the Seagulls is over just hours before jetting off with team-mates last night for an end-of-season break to Spain.

The left-back made his 410th appearance for the club as a late substitute in last Saturday's closing 1-0 home defeat by champions Swansea after starting the season with a testimonial against Reading at Withdean.

The versatile Hart, who made 378 appearances in ten years, will no longer be an Albion player when he returns for his testimonial at Withdean in July.

Veteran centre half Butters, currently on a coaching course, played more than 200 games in six years with the club.

Boss Dean Wilkins said: "It's never easy making these decisions, particularly players who have served the club so well for a number of years, but we have given each individual very careful consideration.

"It is the nature of the game that to be competitive we have to make tough decisions. It may sound like hollow words but I would like to thank each of the players for their professionalism and service and wish them well for the future."

Loft has been offered another year following his first League start of the season in the Swansea defeat. Chamberlain has been awarded a six-month contract, despite making only one substitute appearance for the first team in two years.

Goalkeeper John Sullivan, rookie striker Sam Gargan and utility player Wes Fogden have all been offered a year.

Adam Hinshelwood, who has been plagued by knee problems, will be given a chance to prove his fitness.