Sleeping on a bench to buy a penthouse

George V's dying words may have been "Bugger Bognor", but 63-yearold David can't get enough of the place.

He was so desperate to snap up his dream home that he set up camp outside the Compass Point sales suite.

He has been living on bacon butties supplied by friends and cups of tea from nearby builders.

The retired company manager even cut short a holiday, leaving wife Maureen in Spain, so he could snap up the penthouse overlooking the sea.

But he says it will all be worthwhile when he finally signs on the line today, despite the fact the flat is still being built.

Mr Dear said: "I'm so tired I've almost lost my voice but it's all worth it, despite the fact I've had barely a wink of sleep.

"I don't care what people say about the area, I've lived around here all my life and I love it.

"When me and the wife saw this flat we knew it was the one for us. It's cracking.

When you're out on the roof terrace the sea is like an infinite swimming pool.

"Everything in the place is high spec and luxurious and the views are amazing.

There's no other flat like it. It's everything we want.

"We tried to put down a deposit to secure the place but they said Sorry, first come first served'.

"Then we heard they were going on the market on May 4 - right in the middle of our holiday. So I decided to fly back and camp out."

The grandfather, who lives in nearby Middleton-on-Sea, says the couple plan to rent out the apartment for two years before downsizing to their new seafront home.

He said: "I know a lot of people think I'm mad sat out here in an orange tent but it's been quite good fun.

"I've had friends bring me sandwiches and stay to chat and I've got a DVD player to plug into the cigarette lighter in my car. The developers even apologised for putting me through this."

Luke Leleu, managing director of developer Hamlet Homes, said: "We think David is incredible. He deserves to get the home he wants."