ALBION bosses and fans have responded after thousands of people demanded the stadium’s night lighting be switched off.

The American Express Community Stadium at Falmer uses artificial light during the winter months to maintain the grass pitch after use.

But this year, the lighting has been blasted online by campaigners.

A petition to “put that light out” was signed by more than 6,000 people, who claim it is having a “devastating impact” on wildlife.

In response, Brighton and Hove Albion says it takes its responsibilities for the environment “very seriously” but it is “impossible for us to eliminate our environmental footprint altogether”.

Some fans of the club have responded to the petition with one of their own.

It was started by Owen Care and says: “Snowflakes are everywhere, they interfere with everything.

“These lights are crucial for the playing surface in a ground supported by tens of thousands locally.

“Let’s not some self entitled idiots ruin this for us.”

It has been signed by 57 people.

Another Brighton fan, posted an image of an online chatroom which appeared to show rival fans signing the anti-lights petition.

In the image, Crystal Palace fans appear to be seen encouraging other fans to sign and “help the residents of Brighton”, with one user writing “don’t forget to sign in with location Falmer BN1”

In a message to those concerned, Brighton and Hove Albion said: “As I’m sure you can appreciate, like most businesses, the football club must balance its concern for and responsibility to help protect the environment with our need to practically run our business as a Premier League football club watched by tens of millions of people across the world.

“You will appreciate that, with millions of pounds worth of athletic and footballing talent on display each home match day, we must not only meet and maintain league regulations for the quality of our playing surface, but we also have a duty of care to our players and those of visiting teams.

“In the winter months, whilst we may at times experience high rainfall and high winds, with little or no natural sunlight, a grass pitch misses a key element of its natural ability to regenerate and grow after use.

“We must therefore replicate that loss of light artificially.

“Clearly, we will always limit the use of artificial light – for all the reasons you have highlighted – but I’m afraid we are unable to further limit or eliminate its use completely.

“To do so, would be to significantly neglect the other responsibilities.

“Please be assured that we take our responsibilities for the environment very seriously indeed, but like airlines, car manufacturers, supermarkets, consumer goods factories and other businesses we all use every day, it is impossible for us to eliminate our environmental footprint altogether.”