John Prescott has just ten days in which to make or break the dreams of Brighton and Hove Albion and thousands of football fans.

The Deputy Prime Minister will give his long-awaited verdict on the Seagulls' 22,000-capacity stadium at Falmer some time between now and a week on Monday.

Mr Prescott set himself a spooky Halloween deadline to announce his decision and Albion fans are hoping that is not a bad omen.

Falmer For All chairman Paul Samrah said: "It's going down to the wire and I'm starting to suffer sleepless nights, as I'm sure many other fans are.

"I'm getting more and more nervous and apprehensive about the way it's going to go.

"This really is the end game and we all feel powerless, which is extremely frustrating.

"It's worse than waiting for exam results because we can't retake this one. It is final."

Mr Samrah said he was not getting involved in the rumour mill among fans. Club internet forum North Stand Chat has been alive with predictions of announcement dates and possible verdicts.

He added: "It just makes me more nervous and I'm sure it's going to get even worse. All anyone knows is we don't know!"

Albion chairman Dick Knight said: "We've been waiting to get a new ground since the last ball was kicked at the Goldstone eight years ago.

"We decided on Falmer as the best site for a stadium in 1999 and it has been nearly four years to the day since we applied for planning permission.

"It has been a long, frustrating wait and we have had a number of false dawns.

"It is a nerve-racking time but we've waited all these years so I'm not too bothered about an extra few days.

"I'm not getting sucked in by rumours it could be this day or that day.

"All I know is that it will be on or before the last day of the month and I'm content with that.

"I'm more interested in getting the right decision than when the decision comes at this stage."

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minster will inform all interested parties including the club, Brighton and Hove City Council and Falmer Parish Council, before it makes Mr Prescott's decision public.

A spokesman could not be any more specific about exactly when any announcement will be made.