More than 3,000 football fans have teamed up to campaign for a 2,000-seat extension to Brighton and Hove Albion's temporary home.

The city council is being recommended to approve the scheme at its planning meeting on Wednesday.

But if permission is given for the extension at Withdean Stadium, it would still be subject to a legal agreement.

More than 3,000 letters, most of them from supporters of the club, have been sent to the committee demanding the extra seats.

Campaigners say the fans are well behaved and disturbance is at a minimum.

They also insist the club is an integral part of the community.

But neighbours of the stadium have also been keen to make their voices heard.

About 200 letters of objection have also been sent to the council.

Some fear the new stand, which would increase the overall capacity to 9,002, would lead to a permanent football use at the site.

Many object to a proposed new western stand and some say there are problems with the behaviour of some fans.

Opponents claim noise would also increase to intolerable levels.

In addition, residents say some of the elaborate measures introduced to keep traffic out on match days have failed.

Albion moved to Withdean in 1998 after spending two years sharing a ground at Gillingham in Kent.

But Withdean is too small for a club in Division One and the club wants to move to a community stadium at Falmer.

But even if the new stadium is approved, following an inquiry starting next month, it would take several years to build.

Planning officer Hamish Walke said: "Some disturbance to local residents is inevitable from a use attracting such large numbers of spectators."

He said the proposal would not produce an unacceptable impact and could be controlled through conditions.

The agreement, if approved, would feature more measures to reduce traffic congestion and an extra 200 spaces for park and ride.

Other improvements would include purpose-built changing rooms and new turnstiles.