For more than 50 years it has simply been known as Hove, actually.

Now moves are afoot to expand it in name only to actually become Hove and Portslade.

Hove MP Ivor Caplin launched a campaign yesterday to put the Portslade part of his political seat firmly on the map.

The Labour MP is asking residents to sign a petition to persuade electoral boundary commissioners to change the name of his constituency to Hove and Portslade.

With the backing of local councillors, he wants to put Portslade officially on the political map.

Mr Caplin said: "Portslade has its own identity in the same way Hove has always been different to Brighton.

"Portslade had its own council until it became part of Hove in 1974, and it still has its own town hall in Victoria Road.

"I believe it is important to recognise Portslade still has its own identity while at the same time being a part of Brighton and Hove."

Copies of a petition backing the name change will be distributed to shops, pubs and post offices in a bid to raise support.

It will be handed to boundary commissioners who are carrying out a review of parliamentary constituencies in time for the deadline at the end of this month.

Sue John, councillor for Portslade South, said: "This is about keeping Portslade on the map.

"We have got our own history as a small town and people here share a sense of local identity."

Tina Urquart, of Downland Court Residents' Association, said: "It is a wonderful idea and it is about time Portslade was recognised again in its own right."

The idea of a name change did not go down well with opposition councillors.

Paul Elgood, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the city council, said: "Mr Caplin has lost sight of the real issue.

"He should be concentrating on keeping Hove and Portslade's boundaries intact rather than worrying about name changes."

There are fears any changes recommended by the commissioners following the review could result in a blurring of existing boundaries in Brighton and Hove.

Brian Oxley, leader of the council's Conservatives, said: "It is a pity Mr Caplin did not think about this when the boundaries were last drawn up in 1997 when he was leader of the old Hove council."