Brighton and Hove Albion's planned stadium at Falmer is not included within the area of the proposed South Downs national park.

People are being given a last chance to have a say on the likely size of the park before a public inquiry following today's Countryside Agency designation order for the park, which has boundaries from East and West Sussex to Hampshire.

The agency will now recommend the Government sets up a national park authority to look after the Downs.

The public has four weeks to express views before the Government decides whether or not to approve the order.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is likely to call for a public inquiry as objections are expected from several local authorities.

A new stadium at Falmer would fall outside the park's boundaries. But a transport interchange the club wants to build at Village Way North in Falmer would be within the boundary.

Chris Todd, campaigns officer for the South Downs Campaign, said today: "We want to warn people not to be complacent.

"Just because their area has been included does not mean it cannot be excluded later on."

Only people who make representations before the February 28 deadline will be eligible to take part in a public inquiry.

Ruth Chambers, head of policy for the Council for National Parks, said: "An overwhelming endorsement of this visionary proposal will send a message to the Government that nothing less than national park status will do to ensure this national jewel remains for everyone to enjoy."

Jane Cecil, of the agency, said: "The South Downs is different from other national parks but the issues identified during the consultations do not present any unique challenges."

Brighton and Hove City Council has backed the national park but East Sussex County Council is calling for a public inquiry.

East Sussex leader Peter Jones said the national park designation was unnecessary. He said: "The existing arrangement is wholly adequate."

Copies of the designation order, maps of the proposed park and comment forms are available at council offices