Loyal Bernie Dawes is celebrating 50 years selling lottery tickets and programmes for Brighton and Hove Albion.

Bernie, from Lancing, has been a supporter for 64 years, avidly following the Albion at home and away.

In that time, he has accompanied Brighton to 109 different grounds, including all 92 current league clubs apart from newcomers Rushden and Diamonds and Manchester City.

Bernie, 69, said: "My first game was on my fifth birthday against Exeter at the Goldstone. My dad took me as a birthday present."

Bernie used to sell lottery tickets for the club five nights a week and programmes on a Saturday. Even today he sells lottery tickets on three nights each week as well as the programmes.

His only break was for three years when he moved to Yorkshire on his retirement - and he still managed to go to all the Albion's away fixtures in that time.

Since his return to the South Coast three years ago, he has resumed selling programmes and seen the team go from strength to strength.

Bernie even met his late wife, Shirley, at the Goldstone Ground.

Their son Tony and grandson Michael are keen fans and now also sell programmes.

Earlier this season, Bernie was presented with a special plate to mark the fact he had been to more than 2,000 Albion matches.