Nearly 600 people have signed a petition saying no to to Chelsea FC at Twickenham Stadium in the week since it was launched.

The online petition was set up by Liberal Democrat councillors in St Margaret's and North Twickenham, who are opposed to the idea of the Premier League side using the rugby stadium for a season while Stamford Bridge is expanded.

They claim the traffic and noise generated by having up to 82,000 football fans at the venue, along with the extra demand on police, would be unfair on neighbouring residents.

As of this morning, 570 people had signed the petition, calling on the Rugby Football Union (RFU), which owns the venue, to reject any approach by Chelsea. Many had also posted comments.

Paul Coveney, of Twickenham, said when the South Stand was redeveloped residents had been assured use of the stadium would be kept within certain limits.

"The suggestion that the stadium could be used for Chelsea FC home games would break new ground in demonstrating that the RFU has no real commitment to its neighbours," he added.

Michael Costello, also of Twickenham, said: "As local residents we have had enough of the RFU squeezing more events in their calendar for the purpose of making more money without regard to local residents and the disruption these events cause. Enough is enough!!!"

Lib Dem councillor Alexander Ehmann said yesterday: "The response to Chelsea’s approach is a clear red card from residents. In less than a week, over 500 local people have signed our petition, signalling their deep unhappiness with the proposed introduction of Premier League football to the area.

"While we expect support to grow for our campaign, today, we have submitted the current list of petition signatories to RFU Board as a means of demonstrating the community's opposition to Chelsea's move."

A councillor in Isleworth, just over the border from Twickenham Stadium, has previously said he is open to the idea of Chelsea using the venue for a season. The idea of a move also received the cautious blessing of Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran.

Chelsea FC and the RFU have both previously said while the possibility of the football club using Twickenham has been raised there have yet to be 'discussions of any substance'.

You can sign the petition here.