A radio presenter has launched a campaign against a game show offering a day trip to Bognor as its booby prize.

Straight-talking Spirit FM DJ Duncan Barkes says ITV1's Bognor Or Bust is a "shameless affront" to the resort and has called on listeners to boycott the show.

He said: "Bognor is the most beautiful seaside resort in the country and it is an utter disgrace that this TV company has decided to target it.

"All these overpaid TV executives sitting on their fat backsides in their swanky London offices should be ashamed of themselves. I bet they've never been to Bognor."

Rustington-born Mr Barkes, 30, is asking his breakfast programme listeners to inundate the show's makers 4DTV with postcards depicting holiday scenes from the seaside resort.

His campaign has been backed by the Mayor of Bognor Sylvia Oliver, TV presenter Fred Dinenage and hundreds of listeners across Bognor, Chichester and Littlehampton.

ITV1 is to screen six episodes of Bognor Or Bust, which features panels of comedians and ordinary contestants.

Host Angus Deayton will offer exotic holidays to those who answer the prize question correctly - and a day trip to Bognor for those who don't.

Mr Barkes said: "It's a shameless affront to a town which is the sunshine capital of the UK and has 15 miles of glorious coastline.

"I don't think these people should be allowed to get away with it."

A spokeswoman for Bognor Or Bust insisted the Bognor trip was no booby prize.

She said: "One contestant gets the opportunity to win an exotic once-in-a-lifetime holiday to somewhere like Australia. The alternative is a trip to Bognor.

"Now no one would disagree that a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses-paid trip to Australia or Africa is going to win hands down over Bognor.

"But Bognor was picked simply because it is the epitome of the English seaside. It could easily have been Blackpool Or Bust. It's the use of alliteration that is important.

"I'm actually angling to get myself a trip to Bognor. I'd love to go."

The joke was welcomed by Bognor councillor Paul Wells, 31, who runs a seafront kiosk and rents deckchairs.

He said: "I think it's good for the town. Bognor has had the mickey taken out of it for years - ever since King George V said 'Bugger Bognor'.

"The town should be using the programme to its advantage. Any publicity is good publicity if it is used in the right way."

But residents of the town backed Mr Barkes and vowed to switch off when the show hits screens later in the year.

Sue Skinner, 44, of Ashurst Close, said: "I'm a bit peeved we are the brunt of another joke.

"People will realise it's not a booby prize when they get here. I just hope the sun is shining."

Christine Parker, 38, of Osprey Gardens, said: "I don't really care if people take the mickey because I think we are quite lucky to live here."

Gemma Manville, 16, added: "No one has ever taken the mickey out of me because I live in Bognor and all my friends live here too.

"We think it's great being by the sea."