Bognor mayor Roger Nash went on TV's Big Breakfast show to literally sing the praises of the seaside resort.

He stunned the mayors of two rival holiday destinations by picking up his guitar and singing a 30-second ditty about Bognor.

Mr Nash and the mayors of Skegness and Ilfracombe were each given 30 seconds to make a sales pitch for their towns during a spot on Channel Four's Big Breakfast.

However, instead of making a speech Mr Nash composed some lyrics about Bognor to the tune of the county anthem Sussex By The Sea.

His tactic worked because in a phone and email poll of viewers yesterday, Bognor was voted top resort and won a special flag which will soon be flying high in the town.

Mr Nash, a schoolteacher, is also a member of The Reunion Band, which plays Irish folk music.

He said: "I thought it would be a bit boring just making a speech so as I can play the guitar and sing I thought I would make use of it.

"We now have a flag to say Bognor is Big Breakfast approved and we will be making plans to display it prominently."

In the viewers' poll, Bognor attracted 50 per cent of the votes compared to the 18 per cent for Skegness and 32 per cent for Ilfracombe.

Mr Nash, who heads Bognor Town Council, said his rival mayors took their defeat with good grace.

He used his spot on the show to promote Bognor's sunshine record, safe beaches and major events including the Birdman Rally and Rox, the free seafront music festival which last summer attracted 60,000 people.

The mayor said: "I think anything like this which gets the name of Bognor across is important and I am delighted the viewers voted for the town."