Where is best place to live?

According to the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, the historic market town was assessed on a wide range of factors, from jobs, exam results, broadband speed, community spirit and nearby shops.

Crime and education statistics were also taken into account.

Judges on the panel chose Knutsford in Cheshire as the best place to live in the northwest with Clitheroe, Cumbria, Liverpool, Ramsbottom, Kendal, Saddleworth and Kirby Londale also scoring high.

Meanwhile, Bristol topped the list of the best places to live in Britain in the new 2017 guide after being named the UK’s most desirable location.

Commenting on The Sunday Times Best Places to Live, Home Editor Helen Davies, said: “This is the fifth year we have compiled the list, and this year’s is even bigger and better – the guide is more personal, more detailed and more comprehensive than ever before.

“The list weighs up everything from considering the likely impact of the local plan, to whether the post office is still open, the range of housing, and the quality of the coffee.

“Numbers on a spreadsheet can only tell us so much, so we carefully balance statistics with our writers’ decades of knowledge and expertise to create the definitive list of the best places to live in the UK.”

Speaking of the latest recognition, Ribble Valley Mayor Joyce Holgate, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Clitheroe boasts the castle, the independent shops and it is full of character. It’s great to see small towns like Clitheroe being recognised nationally.”