Let's get Sussex on the Monopoly map

While Burgess Hill is leading the way in a vote to put towns, cities and villages on the Monopoly Here and Now UK edition, many areas, including Brighton and Hove, are trailing behind.

Toy giant Parker has been inviting people to vote for their area for a new version of the famous board game.

Many Sussex towns have failed to pass Go in pursuit of a place in the money-spinning game, but Burgess Hill is now ranked the tenth most popular location in the country.

While the Mid Sussex town prepares to overtake Fleet Street in the wealthy red section, Brighton and Hove looks set to get the boot from the game altogether.

We are now urging our readers to vote in their thousands at the monopoly.co.uk website.

Michael Beard, editor of The Argus, said: "This is a great opportunity to get Sussex on the map of a prestigious game which is played around the world. We hope everyone logs on to the Monopoly website to ensure the county is well represented on the new version of the game."

David Carden, town clerk in Burgess Hill, said: "It's really captured the imagination of the residents of the town. Certainly a lot of the children have been involved and the schools but I think its partly community pride.

"Burgess Hill has a good, strong community and I think this is part of that. Voting has gained momentum and we're all checking the website all the time.

"Friends and relatives are all voting. It's a good way to promote the town. We hope we will get on the board and will be very proud if we do."

With more than 15,000 votes to its credit, the town with a population of about 29,000 seems sure to cement a position in the game, with hotels and terraced homes sure to follow.

Brighton and Hove, with a population of about 250,000, lies 43rd in the rankings with a comparably paltry 3,500 votes.

Just ahead of it yesterday was Haywards Heath with just under 5,000 votes, while trailing in 49th position was Horsham with little more than 2,000.

A spokesman for Horsham District Council said: "The Horsham District has recently been judged by Channel 4 TV to be the second best place to live in the country and it is pleasing to see we are continuing to rank high in this and other similar national comparisons."

Parker's campaign will ensure the top 22 locations win a place on the new edition board, with the most passionately supported location being granted top spot.

St Albans is currently top of the leader board, with 32,500 votes, followed closely by Exeter, Cambridge, Sheffield and Dundee. Parker is now urging people in Brighton and Hove and across the rest of Sussex to launch a major campaign to spark a last minute surge but Burgess Hill's place on the board looks far more assured.

Mr Carden said: "I should imagine the game will be very successful here if we do get a square.

"I'm sure a lot of residents here will be buying it, as will I."

The new version of Monopoly is due out in October. It is the latest in a series of the game which have featured different locations to the classic, which was originally invented in 1933 by Charles Darrow.

The original locations were chosen by Victor Watson and his secretary, Marjory Phillips. The deadline for voting for the new version is May 25.

Visit http://www.monopoly.co.uk/vote.aspx to vote.

Where should your town or street be on the board? Leave your comments below.