England’s happiest places to live revealed – is your city in the top ten?

THE Ribble Valley in Lancashire has been rated the happiest place in England.

Among its scenic 360 square kilometers is the mood-enhancing Forest of Bowland Area of ​​Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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The area, which has a population of 62,000, came out on top in a survey of happiness levels across the country England 296 local government districts.

Data was used for the study from the office for National Statistics, and took into account the crime rate, green spaces, waterways, smoking habits, drug use, unemployment and income.

The average across all districts was 52 out of 100.

Ribble Valley – which includes settlements of Longridge, Ribchester, Waddington and Whalley – scored 79.

Rita Barnes, 36, who lives in Clitheroe – home to Ribble Valley Borough Council – said she loved her town after moving from Bradford in 2020.

She said: “I have only lived here for four years and have completely fallen in love with it.

“It has beautiful green spaces and everyone is so friendly. I have yet to meet someone I didn’t like.

“It just feels like home from the moment you arrive.”

A spokesperson for GoSmokeFree, which carried out the research, said a “wide range of factors” were crucial to an area’s appeal.