Comedian Julian Clary has dubbed the Volk's Railway in Brighton the city's campest attraction. But it has plenty of competitors.

Julian, who has a flat in Brighton, is looking forward to a bumpy ride after performing the miniature railway's official reopening next month.

He said: "I love Brighton because it's so camp and the campest thing about it is Volk's Railway."

The nomination has drawn responses from other well-known faces.

Drag queen and actor Dave Lynn, arguably one of the city's campest residents, prefers the Sealife Centre.

He said: "Brighton is known for being campy and showbusinessy and the Sealife Centre is one of the first things you see when you drive in - it heralds the gay part of town."

Gordon Fletcher owns and runs Doggy Fashion, a grooming parlour stocked with diamante collars and to-die-for accessories for the slinkiest pooches.

For him, the campest venue in the city is seafront bar Charles Street.

He said: "It can be quite outrageous in the evening.

"As for the Pavilion, I wouldn't say it was camp exactly, I'd say it was outrageous. It sets the tone for the rest of the town."

Gift shop Cissy Mo has to be high on anyone's list.

Set up in 1999 by Mark Morgan, there are now three outlets in Brighton and Hove. It's a must for anyone in need of a goldfish-shaped hot water bottle, clockwork Jesus or Elvis light switch.

General manager Iain Laws, 28, said: "I like to think we've captured a bit of what Brighton is about. The whole concept behind the shop is that we sell gifts the mysterious Cissy Mo herself would like to buy."

Further down his list were kitsch shop Pussy in Kensington Gardens and Brighton seafront.

Jaq Bayles, publicity manager for Pride, picked theatrical restaurant Prompt Corner in Hove and the outrageously furnished Hotel Pelirocco Adam Trimingham, The Argus' Sage of Sussex, said: "The whole of the city has a sense of camp and the theatrical. Pride, for example, is a celebration of camp. And Brighton is the only city where Dyke Road and Queens Road meet.

"The Volk's railway may seem quaint to us now but in its time it was a pioneering project."

Other favourites included The Regency Tavern in Russell Square, the Pink Pamper beauty salon in St James's Street, Kemp Town Flea Market, the Sussex Beacon charity shops, Chris Eubank's truck - and Chris Eubank.

Council leader Ken Bodfish chose the Pavilion, the Rock Shop at the end of the West Pier and the Clock Tower.

A council insider said: "It's a shame Dave Panter's away on holiday as he could be on the list himself."

Vince Laws, deputy editor of monthly magazine Gscene, nominated Coun Bodfish's hair as the campest thing in Brighton and Hove.