ARGUS readers are sharing in Boris Johnson's amusement at the suggestion Crawley become a city.

Crawley, which has been a town for 75 years, is celebrating the milestone anniversary by bidding to be named a city.

The bid is being backed by Henry Smith, the town's Conservative MP, who raised the matter at Prime Minister's Questions earlier this week.

Boris Johnson laughed at the suggestion - and many Argus readers seem to find the idea similarly amusing.

One Facebook user said: “Most of Crawley actually laughed when it was announced.”

“I don't think Crawley should be a city and would be surprised to see it win a bid,” another added. “The MP is being ambitious and positive and may be supporting the bid to enthuse people and communities to come together and take more pride in their town so they see the potential.”

The Argus: Crawley town centre Crawley town centre

While a third jokingly added: “Definitely should be a city - after all they’ve got two B&M stores.”

An Argus poll found that 79 per cent of readers don’t believe Crawley should become a city.

The remaining 21 per cent of the 84 voters said they believe the town should be given city status.

Discussing comparisons with other cities in Sussex, one social media user added: “The only thing that really happens if you get city status is everything goes up in price - like Brighton.”

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Smith asked the Prime Minister to “look favourably” on the town's attempt to become a city.

Mr Smith said the Crawley constituency was “one of the most negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic”.

“But thanks to significant support from this government, we are seeing recovery, unemployment now beginning to come down and we look to a confident future,” he said.

“In that vein, will my right honourable friend look favourably on Crawley’s platinum jubilee city status bid.”

However, Mr Johnson giggled throughout his response, in which he admitted he was unaware at the town’s bid.

“I wasn’t aware until today that Crawley was bidding to become a city,” Mr Johnson said. “But I will look at it very carefully.

“And I’m sure there is an excellent case in there somewhere.”

Mr Johnson was accused of having "contempt" for Crawley by Labour Leader of Crawley Borough Council Peter Lamb.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “At least we can now openly see the Prime Minister's contempt for us,” the Northgate and West Green councillor said.

“As if that wasn't clear from his levelling down the funding for our town in favour of newly won northern constituencies.”

Crawley has entered the civic honours competition, part of the Queen's platinum jubilee celebrations, which will bestow city status on towns in the UK.

A spokesman for Crawley Borough Council previously said: "A bid for city status would certainly raise Crawley's profile, enhancing its reputation and ensuring it is a place that is recognised, helping to put Crawley on the map.

"Given the significant economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our town, which is well documented and evidenced, securing city status will bring with it prestige, standing and an opportunity to lever investment to aid our recovery.

"Studies suggest that a successful bid for city status could bring further investment and employment opportunities."

The government will announce the winners of the competition in early 2022.