The search is on to find the UK's biggest waste of open space - and Dame Anita Roddick thinks she has found the perfect entry in her home town.

She has nominated a stretch of wasteground in Littlehampton, next to an out-of-town Tesco supermarket.

Dame Anita, the founder of The Body Shop, who lives near Slindon, has lent her support to a Government-backed campaign to find the worst examples of civic desolation.

The public is being asked to nominate the grottiest and most fly-tipped spaces and the worst examples will be returned to public use.

Dame Anita said: "This piece of land is in Littlehampton - a town I love.

"I was born here and have lived in and around it all my life. So it makes me mad seeing such a large piece of land just sitting there and doing nothing.

"I would turn that piece of land into a farmers' market.

"It should be an eco-designed building where farmers can trade directly with customers and where customers can buy organically-grown fresh produce straight out of the fields."

Mike Northeast, Arun district councillor for Littlehampton, said: "I think it is good she has highlighted it needs tidying up but I don't agree it should be used for a farmers' market.

"We already have a farmers' market that is held in High Street and I wouldn't want to see anything else built to take custom away from the town centre.

"Instead, I'd like it turned into an area for local children."

Shoppers at Tesco also had their own ideas about the wasteland.

Nina Evans, from Climping, said: "It's next to a gateway to Littlehampton. I can't imagine what visitors must think."

Holidaymaker Jimmy Willis, 40, from Essex, said: "I think anything would be an improvement on what it looks like now. Couldn't they make it into an area for the kids?"

Alan Dickinson, from Middleton, near Bognor, said: "Give it long enough and I'm sure a block of flats will be built there. They are always on the lookout for places to build new houses."

A Tesco spokesman said: "We have a vested interest in making the appearance of any land adjoining our stores look as nice as possible.

"We have no immediate plans for that area but it is something we would be willing to look into."

It is thought 70,000 hectares of land lie abandoned around the UK.

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Cabe) will work with local bodies to return the worst examples of wasteland to public use.

To nominate a piece of wasted space, visit www.wastedspace.org.uk or write to Wasted Space?, PO Box 42577, London E1 6WH.