WIRRAL is third in a top ten list of the happiest places to live in Britain, according to the results of a survey published today.

Harrogate, Royal Tunbridge Wells and Epsom also feature in the annual 'happy at home' index compiled by Rightmove.

More than 17,000 people took part in the survey, which asked them how happy they are with aspects of where they live.

Factors such as community spirit, feeling safe, the friendliness of locals, the amenities and local services available and earning enough to live comfortably were taken into account.

Leamington Spa in the West Midlands was voted happiest place to live.

Llandrindod Wells was identified as the happiest place to live in Wales and 12th overall in Britain, while Cheltenham came 29th and Bath was in 38th place.

Dumfries was identified as the happiest place to live in Scotland.

Last year's winner, Leigh-On-Sea took the runner-up spot in this year's survey.

The happiest places to live in Britain are: 

  • Royal Leamington Spa, West Midlands
  • Leigh-on-Sea, South East
  • Wirral
  • Harrogate, Yorkshire
  • Royal Tunbridge Wells, South East
  • King's Lynn, East of England
  • Epsom, South East
  • Richmond upon Thames, London  
  • Poole, South West
  • Chichester, South East

The happiest places to live regionally, followed by their ranking overall are

  • South West, Poole (9)
  • Yorkshire and the Humber, Harrogate (4)
  • Scotland, Dumfries (15)
  • East of England, King's Lynn (6)
  • Wales, Llandrindod Wells (12)
  • South East, Leigh-on-Sea (2)
  • North East, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (21)
  • East Midlands, Newark (70)
  • West Midlands, Royal Leamington Spa (1)
  • North West, Wirral (3)
  • London, Richmond upon Thames (8)

Councillor George Davies, Wirral's cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: "We're delighted this study has confirmed what we have all known for a long time – Wirral is a fantastic place to live.

"Our residents enjoy great schools, unrivalled leisure opportunities and stunning scenery.

"Urban, executive homes sit side by side with picturesque and quaint rural villages in Wirral; there genuinely is something for everyone.

"We have the only Blue Flag beach in the North West, more Green Flag parks than anywhere in the region, and we're minutes away from major cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Chester.

"It's no wonder there is such a demand to live, visit and work in Wirral.

"It is a unique, thriving and happy place!"