'I'm from the UK's worst seaside town - it used to be lovely but now it's rotten'

"Grey and miserable" - that's the stark verdict of Levi Winchester on her hometown.

Levi has long since moved away from the town she grew up in, but harbours a deep affection for the iconic British seaside town which, despite its historical charm, has seen better days.

Bognor Regis was recently condemned as the worst seaside town in the country by Which? readers, taking the dubious honour from Bangor in north Wales, which one writer says is "so wrong". You can see the full list of best and worst seaside towns here. The judgement came after feedback from readers who had made around 9,000 trips to various coastal spots across the UK, reports the Mirror.

The town was lambasted as "dirty", "rundown" and "depressing" and scored a dismal one star across categories including its seafront, food and drink offerings, attractions, scenery, shopping experience, parking facilities, tranquillity, and overall value for money, despite having once been home to King George V for three months.

But reflecting on her childhood memories, Levi, who is now a journalist for the Mirror, said: "I remember many happy summers playing down the beach in Bognor Regis. At low tide, you could see sand for miles, as the smell of fish and chips wafted through the air."

She went on: "The town was always buzzing with families enjoying their trip to Butlin's and while the seaside resort still attracts large crowds every year, the town itself has lost its heart. The promenade lacks love and is in need of a serious revamp.

"Even under the lights of the pier, it still just feels grey and miserable. Like many other UK high streets, the main town centre is empty now with hardly any shops left. I barely recognised it when I visited last month.

"Which? readers described it as 'a seaside town that's forgotten it's next to the sea' and I can't help but agree with that. West Sussex County Council has committed to spending £40 million to regenerate the seafront, some of which has already been used on recent works to improve the esplanade, including more plants, new seating and litter bins, plus better pedestrian, cycle, and disabled access. More needs to be done, but let's hope this is the start of bringing Bognor back to life."

But not everyone is so down on Bognor. Freya and Matthew Reynolds run the independent furniture store on the high street that shares their family name. They told local paper The Argus how much they loved the town.

Matthew, who moved to London and then returned, said it is a "lovely place to raise a family by the seaside".

"I think Bognor has done quite well. There are not that many boarded-up shops. In other places, half the town centre seems to be boarded up," he said.

Julia Smith, a 58-year-old carer from Bognor, hit back at the town's poor rating with fervour: "I think it's a bit of snobbery. You need to come down and see it for yourself - don't rely on so-called reports," she told The Guardian.

"There's so much here. The sea is amazing. There are loads of places to eat as well, whether you've got a tenner or 100 quid to spend," she continued. "We live here, and we never get sick of it. I'm going on 60, but I love it."

Despite its struggle with image issues, Bognor Regis remains a beloved destination, drawing in an impressive four million visitors annually. This figure is set to rise, especially with Butlin's investing a hefty £1.8 million into its local resort.

With its historic Victorian pier dating back to 1865, stretches of inviting sandy beaches, a plethora of arcades, and an abundance of fish and chip shops, Bognor Regis retains all the hallmarks of a classic British seaside spot. A recent visitor expressed their admiration for the "lights along the pier at night", while others believe that with proper investment, Bognor could relive its heyday.

Speaking to the Mirror, a West Sussex County Council spokesperson described the town as having a "rich heritage, strong sense of community and a growing ambition for regeneration".

"Significant progress is already underway, including the recent £1.39 million Esplanade public realm improvements," they added.

Bognor Regis mayor, Gill Yeates, said she doesn't recognise the town described in the recent survey by Which? She added: "Bognor Regis offers a traditional seaside experience with its family-friendly beach, historic pier, and enjoys repeat visits from holidaymakers who come back year after year.

"We are in a great location nestled between the sea and the South Downs National Park providing a base for visitors to explore the wider area or enjoying the tranquil coastline. Bognor Regis is consistently rated in the top two sunniest UK destinations. We are open for business and you can be sure of a warm welcome."