Community leaders have hit back after their town had the dubious honour of being considered one of the worst places to live in Britain.

Felixstowe has been listed among 100 places competing for the Crap Town 2013 title.

Andrew Rowdon, chairman of Felixstowe Chamber of Trade, said the town was a lovely place to live and pointed to others who also believe in its future, and the £100million investment programme taking place.

He said: “I think the people who have said this are dreaming – it’s balderdash.

“How can you take seriously a list that includes the likes of Stratford upon Avon and Bury St Edmunds? We have got lots of positives here and the town is getting better all the time. I am proud to live in Felixstowe.

“Why are people investing so much in Felixstowe at the moment if it’s so bad?”

Three superstore applications had been submitted, the sea defences refurbished, renovation of the gardens is taking place, new health centre, plans in place for a new pier, and work taking place on a new seafront park.

Roy Gray, of the Felixstowe Beach Hut and Chalet Association, said: “It’s a lovely place to live. We do have investment taking place and hopefully this will make the town more attractive to visitors.”

Former councillor Nick White said: “I doubt that it will stop people coming, and those of us who live here will continue to love the place. I absolutely love it, and short of a change in circumstances, I can’t see me leaving.”

A spokesman for Crap Town 2013 l said: “We are now in the process of whittling it down to the 50 that will be included in Crap Towns Returns when it’s published in October.”

If you would like to defend Felixstowe visit www.craptownsreturns.co.uk