Withdean stadium will witness a party like never before today as Brighton and Hove Albion celebrates the dawn of a new era.

John Prescott and planning inspector David Brier are the toast of Sussex after permission was granted for all the Falmer stadium applications.

The momentous news sparked widespread celebration and an outpouring of emotion from campaigners who have fought eight years for the yes verdict.

The Argus, which launched the Albion for Falmer campaign six years ago, sent a van in the nick of time to distribute copies of our special afternoon edition which carried nine pages of news and reaction to the Falmer verdict.

Staff at Donatello served up pizzas on which they had spelled out the word YES with black olives.

Norman Cook and Mr Knight have been working on some special celebrations for this afternoon's match at Withdean but they were remaining tight-lipped about the details.

Mr Cook said: "We didn't want to count our chickens but arrangements are being made as we speak and it will be quite a carnival. I can't wait."

The Seagulls take on Ipswich Town but the match will be secondary. Withdean is often criticised as being devoid of atmosphere but that is unlikely to be the case this afternoon.

Mr Knight told the dozens of journalists packed into the upstairs room at Donatello: "Today was our greatest ever away win.

"We are going to have a great celebration to usher in a new era for Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club because we have assured another 100 years of history.

"It's a victory for our supporters and the whole of football.

"At last Brighton will be allowed to compete on a level playing field."

Mr Knight paid tribute to Martin Perry and the team he has assembled to mount the planning battle.

And he thanked the club's financial backers, such as Norman Cook, who have stumped up some £8 million between them to keep the club afloat.

He revealed the club was the last of the interested parties to receive Mr Prescott's letter yesterday morning.

Mr Knight said: "I was getting phone calls saying it was a yes but the last people to officially find out were the applicants. Never mind - the result is what counts."

The city had an atmosphere of celebration yesterday.

The Seagulls Shop in Queen's Road was decked out with Yes To Falmer posters and supporters donning Albion shirts began pouring onto the streets to discuss the news as it spread.

Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company vehicles drove around with the message "Up The Albion" written on their information boards.

Great cheers erupted when Albion chief executive Martin Perry said simply: "We have planning permission to build a new stadium at Falmer as of this morning.

"I would like to thank supporters and praise the incredible Falmer for All campaign.

"The campaign has been run by fans and it has been intelligent and relentless but, most of all, humorous.

"I believe it has been a model campaign. No doubt because of their effort we managed to get this issue right to the heart of Government.

"It is fantastic for us as a club to feel so supported."

Falmer for All chairman Paul Samrah choked back tears as he reflected on a decade since he discovered how the club's previous administration planned to sell the Goldstone Ground.

He said: "The news is slowly sinking in. We did it together and now we are going to have something as a legacy to the next generation.

"I am looking forward to being a normal football fan now."