PEOPLE have hit back at a survey which ranked Chichester as one of the worst places to live in the country.

The city came in at 43rd in the annual poll by satirical website iLiveHere.com, where the opinions of more than 110,000 people were considered.

According to the website, Chichester is “the most superficial and snobbish town in England”.

In an Argus poll, 54 per cent of readers said Chichester did not deserve to make the list, with some rushing to defend the “beautiful and historical” city.

One Facebook user said: “I think Chichester deserves to be one of the top 50 places to live in the UK, not the other way around.”

Another added: “This is ridiculous. Chichester is one of the most prestigious addresses in the UK.”

While a third jokingly said: “Must have been voted for by a disgruntled drunk who got thrown out of a Chichester pub.”

On the other hand, some people said that they thought the survey “had a point” and that the city “had gone downhill”.

One user said: “This sounds right. It’s a country city full of snobby people and overpriced locations, but nothing really going for it.

“Even the bypass is a nightmare.”

Another agreed, saying: “I know this is satirical, but they do have a point. Overpriced shops staffed by snobby staff with fake jewellery, looking down on people who are visiting.”

Last year, the city ranked 47th on the list, and this year it has climbed four places to reach 43rd.

The website said: “The most shallow, snobbish and superficial people in Britain live in dumps like Chichester on the South Coast, a place indescribably bad.

“Elsewhere in the UK the people are real, genuine people and there are still independent shops.

“Most of the towns listed here away from the South Coast are a hundred times better than Chichester, which should really be fenced off so decent people can ot go there and left to stew in its own filth.

“Chichester, at least it’s not Bognor Regis.”

Chichester was the only place in Sussex to be included on the list.

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.