MP PETER Bottomley was today accused of disloyalty to Sussex after supporting Shrewsbury's bid for city status.

Leaders of Brighton and Hove's campaign to become a millennium city are furious after the West Worthing Tory MP signed a Commons motion outlining Shrewsbury's "outstanding" case.

Mr Bottomley stressed he was supporting the rival bid because he was born in Shropshire.

But locals say he is letting down his own constituents because city status would benefit the whole of Sussex, including Worthing.

Hove MP Ivor Caplin said: "It's very disloyal to the county of Sussex. He should be supporting Brighton and Hove.

"It's right to expect from across the county that the main conurbations and main towns that attract so much attention should have the support of all MPs.

"I'm very disappointed Peter Bottomley can't bring himself to do that."

Thirty-nine towns across the country are competing for the honour of being named a millennium city by the Queen.

Mr Bottomley, who was born in Newport, Shropshire, said his family had farmed in the Midlands county for about 800 years.

He said: "There are plenty of people who can speak up for East Sussex. I will speak up for West Sussex and remember the county of my birth as well.

"Brighton is big enough to look after itself."

Mr Bottomley added: "I'm not against Brighton but as a Shropshire lad, I owe quite a lot to the land of my birth."

Tim Loughton, East Worthing and Shoreham Tory MP, said he was backing Brighton and Hove's bid.

Leaders in Sunderland, which was awarded city status in 1992, said the prestige of the title attracted millions of pounds in investment from foreign companies and was a major boost for tourism in the region.

Simon Fanshawe, chair of the Place To Be campaign for the title, said the honour would help the whole of Sussex, not just Brighton and Hove.

He added: "The city bid is all about increasing investment to Brighton and Hove and the region that surrounds it and I am very surprised Peter

Bottomley is not supporting that.

"Worthing people can only benefit from a strengthening of the economy in Brighton and Hove. He should be representing his own

constituents."

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