Tangerine, Mississippi and dooberry are among the entries put forward by Sussex MPs in the search for the country's most-loved word.

The charity Education Action has put together a list of entries from high profile politicians and authors whose top nouns and adjectives range from the personal to the predictable.

The Words for the World scheme is raising awareness of children who donít have access to education because of conflict or displacement.

Six of the county's politicians have put forward their own favourites.

Norman Baker, MP for Lewes, has expressed his admiration for the sound of the orange-like fruit tangerine.

The Liberal Democrat politician said the word had a "lovely sound" and was "quite musical".

Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West, has revealed his strong bond to a story attached to "Mississippi".

He said: "Our mother said there would always be people who knew more than us; she taught us to spell Mississippi because not many children knew how."

Des Turner, Labour's MP for Brighton Kemptown, has admitted that his favourite word is "optimistic".

He said: "You have always got to believe things are possible, whatever the obstacles, and work around them."

His party colleague Celia Barlow, who represents Hove, opted for a more intimate option - "cuddly".

She said: "It makes me think of happy times spent with my family."

Tim Loughton, East Worthing and Shoreham, plumped for the versatile "dooberry".

The Conservative member said: "It usually applies to something you can't remember the right word for."

Michael Foster, MP for Hastings, said his favourite word was a "however".

He said: "However is part of my legal background because I always see two sides of an argument.

"There are very few absolutes in politics."

Other public figures to have come with their favourite words include Tory MP and London Mayor hopeful Boris Johnson who chose "carminative", which describes the relieving of flatulence.

Boris Johnson, MP for Henley, said: "My suggestion is carminative which I regard as a splendid word and which means a spell - its effects being highly beneficial."

Respect MP George Galloway chose "indefatigability" - a reference to his description of Saddam Hussein.

Education Action claims that 80 million children worldwide do not have access to education - more than half live in war zones or have fled conflict.

The London-based charity works in Africa and the Middle East to help rebuild and transform their lives through education.

If you would like to put forward your own word visit www.education-action.org/words What is your favourite word? Tell us below.