We're "crap" and we should know we are. So says the team behind The Idler magazine.

Its new book names and shames "The 50 Worst Places To Live In The UK", many of which are in Sussex.

Readers of The Idler who have nominated such places as Bognor, Brighton, Hastings and Burgess Hill obviously have little affection for their home towns.

Surely many readers of The Argus will possess a little more love and loyalty towards their surroundings.

The criticisms contained in the book and The Idler's web site may make occasionally-entertaining reading.

But any small truths are obscured by the overwhelming effect of petty point-scoring and hysterical exaggeration.

Surely anyone taking a wider view - and perhaps a few breaths of fresh Sussex countryside air - would realise the book does the region a great disservice.

Seaside fun and games, city centre nightlife, countryside rambles, expansive sea views, bustling markets, fascinating heritage sites, can-do community spirit - all are here, yet all are ignored.

To adopt one of its criticisms of Bognor, the "Crap Towns" survey is a "vulgar and depressing" exercise - as its name suggests.

Managing editor Dan Kieran admitted he may pelted with eggs if he dared to visit Brighton again.

In fact, there could well be heavy demand for eggs at supermarkets across Sussex.