Royalty is booked to open Shoreham's new bridge - but residents of the seaside town would prefer TV presenter Holly Willoughby.

The “honour” of having the Duke of Gloucester opening the “iconic” Adur Ferry Bridge on November 13 has been rejected by Shoreham residents as a man “frankly none of us care about”.

Instead a group of residents are bidding for the This Morning presenter Holly, who was born in Brighton and is a former student of Burgess Hill School for Girls, to open the link between Shoreham and Shoreham Beach.

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Russell Carter took to the Shoreham Facebook group, which has nearly 2,600 members, to air the idea.

He wrote: “So after a long discussion tonight with a committee of people who feel a great celebrity for opening the new bridge would be Holly Willoughby, who is from Sussex - her father being a Sussex business man too.

“So let's try to get Holly to open the bridge instead of the Duke of Gloucester who frankly none of us care about.”

He added: “Her father used to drink in Shoreham.”

His idea generated much support with some suggesting Holly and Shoreham's oldest resident could team up to open the bridge. Others said Holly and a group of local Shoreham children could work together.

Paul Smith said: “Holly Willoughby all day long please - Brighton-born goddess.”

Previously West Sussex County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Pieter Montyn, said: “To have the honour of welcoming the Duke to open such an iconic structure is fitting.“

Thousands of people will benefit from using the Adur Ferry Bridge each day and it will be an asset to the people of Shoreham for decades to come.”

Some people suggested there was no link between the Duke, who lives at Kensington Palace in London, and Shoreham.

Last night Holly Willoughby's spokesman was unable to comment.

The bridge was originally due to be opened in mid-September, but this has been delayed following problems with a glass supplier.