Political rivals have joined forces to combat a council's rates demand which could financially cripple a cricket club.
Hove Labour parliamentary hopeful Ivor Caplin has teamed up with Tory Geoffrey Theobald to secure full rate relief for Brighton and Hove Cricket Club.
The club was stunned when a £1,125 rates demand arrived at its headquarters at the Nevill Sports Centre in Eridge Road, Hove.
Brighton and Hove City Council waived a similar charge last year after acknowledging the role the club plays in the community.
Mr Caplin visited the club with Home Office Minister Lord Bassam yesterday prior to the under-11s match with Goring.
He has also put election issues to one side by joining with Councillor Theobald, leader of the Conservative group, to get the decision overturned.
He said: "I have long believed that Brighton and Hove Cricket Club should receive full rate-relief from the council. The council can clearly afford it.
"I will be giving the club my full support and I am confident we will able to get the council to reverse its decision as we did last time."
Parents of youngsters who use the facilities at the club launched a scrap-the-tax campaign in protest at the demand, which was upheld by councillors at a recent meeting.
May 30 2001
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