In Sussex we're very proud of our towns and villages, not everyone seems to appreciate everything the county has to offer. Several places in the county have been shortlisted for the title of Britain's most “soul-destroying” place to live in.

Eastbourne, Haywards Heath, Crawley, Wadhurst, Hastings, Bexhill, Bognor, Chichester and Rye have all been put forward by residents for iLiveHere’s annual search for the worst places in the UK.

The scathing town reviews site has changed the emphasis for this year’s contest and wants to find the most depressing town rather than just the worst place to live.

So far 153 towns and cities are on the shortlist.

The website said: “Bland, boring, soul-destroying mediocrity with a gaping cultural void. This is what our new poll is about. This year we are ditching the usual suspects to focus on those towns throughout this septic isle that give you an almost-terminal case of ennui.

Read more: Chichester named as one of the worst places to live in England

“The towns where you just exist rather than live. From home counties commuter dormitories that close down at 10pm to seaside resorts that are ghost towns in winter, this poll is about them.

“Tourist traps like Padstow that have been expunged of locals to make way for weekend AirBnBs or places that exist solely to part Americans from their money like Edinburgh and Canterbury.

“This poll covers the length and girth of Great Britain taking in Scotland and Wales for the first time. So get voting and take a big steaming dump on the Sunday Times Best list and estate agent’s cheap-suited dreams.”

Many will be surprised by Sussex’s nominees.

Wadhurst was crowned the best place to live in the UK by the Sunday Times in March in its annual Best Places To Live Guide.

While Rye with its cobbled streets lined with medieval, half-timbered houses is considered one of the county’s gems.

In November, it was named one of Britain’s prettiest towns alongside Lewes by The Telegraph.

Chichester, however, regularly appears on the survey.

It was voted the 43rd worst place to live in 2022 and 47th in 2021.

The website said in 2022 that Chichester is “the most superficial and snobbish town in England”.