Sunny Weston-super-Mare has found itself at the centre of a

heated debate. It's clear the Wurzels love the place, having

dedicated a song to the seaside resort.

But this month the North Somerset town came under fire from

Cotswold-based comedian Dom Joly and, perhaps more importantly,

its most famous son – Monty Python star John Cleese.

Joly slammed the place as “Weston-not-so-super-Mare” saying

it was a “destination of the desperate.”

While Cleese, who grew up in Weston-super-Mare, commented

that it was not what it used to be and had gone downhill.

He said he much preferred the beautiful area of Clifton in

Bristol.

Now residents have hit out at the comments saying their

hometown is a fantastic place to live.

Several online groups have been set up to recognise how

great Weston-super-Mare is and they have attracted hundreds of

members from across the country.

Town council leader Keith Morris has defended his town.

He said: “I am very disappointed that he should make such

disparaging remarks about his home town. I wonder just how much

time he spent walking around Weston, I suspect very little.

“There are, of course, many current problems affecting the

town, especially the essential works to the sea front which,

when completed, will greatly improve the appearance of the area

as well as protecting many thousands of properties from

flooding.”

The town is currently undergoing a revamp, whereby tens of

thousands of pounds are being ploughed into giving the old

Birnbeck Pier a much needed facelift.

There is also a £30m development project under way at the

former Tropicana site, which will see it reopening as a hotel,

restaurant, cinema and swimming pool. Despite this, the town

has struggled to shift its image as a humdrum resort.

During his visit to nearby Bristol this month, Cleese, who

now lives in the United States, was heard to say: “I was very

disappointed. It's really not very beautiful any more. There

used to be bits of it that were lovely.”

Cleese's comments come just weeks after fellow West comedian

Dom Joly slated the town.

The former Trigger Happy TV star dedicated his national

newspaper column to insulting the Weston after spending a day

filming a golf DVD.

During his time in the town he saw a mud rescue and

suggested the teenagers who got stuck were heading towards

Wales and said their tears were probably due to the fact that

they were made to go back to Weston.

He then moved on to attacking the town's teenagers, mocking

their attempts at free-running in the park and describing them

as “feral”.

Residents have hit back at the claims, saying they love

living in the town.

A group set up on the social networking site Facebook

entitled We love Weston-super-Mare has attracted almost 1,500

members and reams of comments praising the town.

Louis Macrides, who grew up in Weston Mare in the 70s and

80s, said: “I loved Weston as a kid. It was one big adventure.

The pier, the woods, the Winter Gardens and the seafront.”

One thing's for sure – the summer months are bustling in

Weston. Charlotte Smith added: “Only true Westoners know how

amazing this place is.”

Weston-super-Mare is home to the International Sand

Sculpture festival. Fans also point to the annual T4 on the

Beach festival which took place earlier this month.

More than 40,000 revellers flocked to the town from across

the country. Organisers say the resort is the perfect

location.

Later on in the year the town hosts the Weston Beach Race

and the carnival, in which more than 100 floats parade through

the streets at night in a spectacular display.

A Weston-super-Mare tourism spokesman said: “The wide sweep

of Weston Bay has miles of clean sandy beach, traditional

seaside attractions and beautiful countryside.

“Revisit your childhood, let your hair down and introduce

your children to a great British tradition – a trip to the

seaside at Weston.”

The Wurzels concur: “I'm off to sunny Weston-super-Mare.

They say you'll always find a welcome way down there. From this

lovely sandy bay. I'll walk along the promenade. Forget that

country lane. Just write and tell the folks back home. I won't

be back again.”