Funding of �5.3m has been allocated to the planned stadium

The cash is from the South East England Development Agency (Seeda) which says a stadium would bring investment to Brighton, and improved infrastructure.

On Wednesday, the government delayed for two weeks a ruling on whether Brighton and Hove Albion FC can build a stadium at Falmer, east Brighton.

It followed Hazel Blears replacing Ruth Kelly as communities secretary.

A decision had been expected by Monday, but the target date is now 25 July.

'Fantastic for fans'

The football club has been in a temporary home at the Withdean athletics stadium since 1999.

Albion chief executive Martin Perry has said the funding was "fantastic news for fans".

He said: "Seeda have been consistent in their support for the development of a community stadium at Falmer.

"All we want now is a positive decision from Hazel Blears."

Hazel Blears is due to rule on the stadium plans around 25 July

Seeda chief executive Pam Alexander said: "Our support for the community stadium in east Brighton, subject to planning decisions, will not only have significant benefits for the local community in terms of infrastructure."

She said it would "also help to open up other opportunities for investment which will themselves generate further jobs in an area of serious disadvantage".

The �5.3m stadium investment was announced on Wednesday as part of a funding package of more than �23m for redeveloping the city.

Seeda said the package included �5.3m for a community stadium and up to �18m for the new Brighton Centre - the existing 30-year-old centre is set to be replaced by a �100m development.

Ms Alexander said the Seeda backing would help the city "re-establish itself as one of the leading convention centre destinations both in the UK and in Europe".