Since King George V uttered his dying words "bugger Bognor", the coastal resort's reputation has been far from spotless.

It was last year voted the second worst place in Sussex for young people to live and also features in the book Crap Towns.

Now, much to the disgust of residents, Bognor's fate could be sealed once and for all.

A game show which poked fun at the town by offering a day trip as the booby prize has been nominated in ITV's national television awards.

Although it flopped after the first six episodes, Bognor Or Bust, hosted by Angus Deayton, is one of 16 quiz shows shortlisted.

While the winning contestants jetted off on glamorous holidays, the losers enjoyed Bognor's cloudier climes and stony beaches.

The programme is up against family favourites Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and The National Lottery, as well as Have I Got News For You and Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

The winner will be announced at a star-studded ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on October 25.

Spirit FM DJ Duncan Barkes, who launched a campaign to boycott the show calling it a "shameless affront", ridiculed the nomination.

He said: "I think this is an utter disgrace. The thing was a load of rubbish.

"I find it amazing the show was nominated in the first place, especially when it was not commissioned for a second series. I watched it once out of a duty to my listeners but it wasn't very funny."

Duncan is annoyed by the constant jibes made about the town and believes Bognor deserves a break.

He said: "People need to look past Bognor's name and what is said about it and look into the town. It's a fantastic place.

"It's a traditional English resort and you won't find anything like it anywhere else."

Duncan, 30, asked listeners to inundate the programme's makers, 4DTV, with postcards from the seaside town last year.

He was backed by presenter Fred Dinenage, the then Mayor of Bognor Sylvia Oliver and hundreds of listeners.

Maria Griggs, manager of Pagham Beach Cafe in Beach Road, agreed the programme did not deserve an award.

She said: "I thought it was extremely unfair of them to offer a trip to Bognor as a booby prize in the first place."