Fatboy Slim wants to hand democracy back to the masses by tuning in to his fans' opinions of their home city during his New Year's Day show.

The DJ, aka Norman Cook, wants to use giant screens, set up to give revellers a sensational visual display, to test their views on Brighton and Hove Albion's Falmer stadium plans and Frank Gehry's scheme for the King Alfred centre in Hove.

He said he has other plans for the show which will be kept secret until the big day but he revealed the idea for the referendum on two of Brighton and Hove's most controversial developments.

A crowd of 20,000 fans will be treated to a stunning extravaganza of light and sound when Cook takes to the stage on New Year's Day in Madeira Drive.

He plans to present both topics on the screens as he plays, using the audience's response to find out what the thousands of people think of the plans.

Fatboy Slim said: "We put a lot of effort into these big gigs and, especially being in Brighton, this one's going to be very Brighton-centric, especially the use of visuals.

"The only one I'll give away is we're going to have a referendum.

"We're going to flash up visuals saying public referendum, Falmer yes or no?' and King Alfred Tower, yes or no?'"

In an exclusive interview with The Argus, now showing on www.theargus.co.uk, Cook said he originally wanted to perform the concert on New Year's Eve.

Instead he had to settle for New Year's Day because police said it was the least popular day of the year.

Cook said: "We got caught with our pants down a little bit last time we played, so being allowed to do it this time we've taken every kind of safety issue into consideration.

"New Year's Day was chosen because the police said it would be the most unpopular day of the year for a beach party.

"We obviously wanted to do it on New Year's Eve but the police said, Look, we've already got our hands full on New Year's Eve'.

"So we made it New Year's Day to discourage idiots from turning up without tickets."

Two people died in the hours which followed Cook's last performance on Brighton seafront in the summer of 2002, although neither was directly connected to the gig.

On that day 250,000 fans stormed the city.

This time the crowd will be limited to 20,000 but there have been concerns more fans will turn up and gather on the Palace Pier and around the perimeter fences.

Barriers and stewards will prevent anyone from watching from Marine Parade, above the event site, and from reaching any part of the beach.

People will be asked to move on if they gather around the barriers. But Norman also warned fans to wrap up warm.

He said: "If you are coming, please, please be sensible. Please dress warm, wear gloves and use the hot stations we're providing if you get cold. We don't want people freezing.

"And if you haven't got a ticket please don't come anywhere near. You won't be able to see and the police won't let you near Madeira Drive. And you'll get me in trouble.

"If you are coming, make sure you bring your warmest dancing shoes and get ready to have fun. I'll see you on New Year's Day."

To see a video of the full Fatboy Slim interview, click here