Brighton and Hove Albion bosses are celebrating after netting two gongs at a national awards ceremony.

Albion took first place in two categories at the third annual Football League Awards in London.

Paul Samrah, the chairman of the Falmer For All campaign, picked up the opening award of the night at the glitzy ceremony.

He was voted Fan of the Year after leading the battle for Albion's new stadium for more than a decade.

Mr Samrah, who estimates he has put in thousands of hours of unpaid work during the club's quest to find a permanent home, said: "I am absolutely delighted.

"This award is as much for the thousands of fans around the country who helped us in our hour of need, as it is for me.

"However many hours I put in, there are others who have doubled that.

"We are now on the verge of something huge with the community stadium. It will be my proudest day when I can take my children along to the first match there."

Henfield-based tax specialist Mr Samrah is also the leader of the Seagulls Party which fought for seats in the Lewes district local elections last year.

He is currently playing a leading role on Albion player Gary Hart's testimonial committee, and also heads up the voluntary public address team for matches at Withdean.

Mr Samrah, who was joined by wife Belinda at the ceremony, added: "I think Belinda finally understands where I've been going off to all those evenings and weekends.

"It is a real honour and I'm just glad the club has achieved some more national recognition."

Meanwhile the club's community team took the League One award for the best community initiative for the second year running.

The team picked up the award as a result of a highly successful project in which they joined forces with housing associations in Sussex to deliver football sessions to disadvantaged residents.

The team also runs successful Saturday sessions for youngsters, as well as schools programmes and holiday courses.

Darren Teague, of Albion in the Community, said: "It's brilliant, we picked up the community club award last year and this is a phenomenal achievement to do it again.

"We are appreciative of the support we receive to all of our individual projects."

Albion chairman Dick Knight said: "Everyone in Sussex should be proud that Paul has won this award, because he has done it on behalf of all Albion fans.

"What can you say about our community project?

"To win an award for the second year running is absolutely brilliant, and just shows you what a football club can do in the community."

Albion just missed out on a hat-trick of awards after its programme Seagull was nominated but pipped by its rival from Bristol City for the matchday publication of the year title.

Albion were one of only two clubs to net two awards at the ceremony at the Park Lane Hilton, which was packed with 800 guests.