A football club could fold because it keeps breaching rules banning it from playing football after hours.

Burgess Hill Football Club is only supposed to use the floodlights at its Leyland Park ground up to 9.30pm to stop residents being disturbed by light and noise.

But managers say it is impossible to organise matches to start before 7.30pm and if games run into extra time, they often go over the deadline.

The club was ordered to pay a total of £2,635 in penalties and charges after appearing in court recently for its latest breach of the rules on its operation of floodlights.

And following on from previous cases brought by Mid Sussex District Council against it, the club says it now owes more than £10,000.

Chief executive Gary Croydon said: "Things have been extremely tight for us and to continue along this road will break us. Survival is now extremely tough. I don't know what the future holds."

"The financial implications of these fines are there for all to see.

"We have already suffered from fines and court costs - this latest action is 80 per cent costs - and we have to take our own legal fees into consideration."

Club directors failed to appear at court proceedings last week, to answer three charges over the use of floodlights at the ground.

Council conditions restrict the lights' use to between 6.45pm and 9.30pm on week nights.

However, neighbours have complained of a number of breeches, including one during a Youth Cup game that ran into extra time.

The club pleaded guilty to all charges at Horsham Magistrates Court.

The Leylands ground has been earmarked as a possible site for new housing but a new ground has yet to be found.

Mr Croydon said: "The local authority notified us that they wished to relocate us but they don't have a piece of land to give us. Where does this leave the club?."

A district council spokesman: "The council is hugely supportive of football in Burgess Hill and we regret that it has become necessary to resort to legal action. We have a responsibility both to the football club and also to local residents."