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Middlesbrough 'worst place to live'

15/10/2007

A new survey has named Middlesbrough as the worst place to live in England.

The poll - for Channel 4's property show Location, Location, Location - studied cities across the country on the basis of culture, crime, health and education.

And while the 'best' place to live in the country will be named this Wednesday, the Teesside town has topped the table of the worst England has to offer.

Researchers found that some 27 per cent of residents binge-drink - nine per cent more than the national average - while just one in ten residents are physically active.

And with an average wage of £16,998, compared to the national figure of £23,580, Middlesbrough has the 16th-lowest average salary in England.

David Budd, leader of the Labour group on Middlesbrough city council, dismissed the show's findings.

"We've got a massive regeneration programme taking place, we have one of the country's fastest growing universities, we have the largest new public square in the country and the BBC Proms hosted a concert here this year," he told the Daily Mail.

"No one would deny we have enormous problems but to say Middlesbrough is the worst place to live in the country is ludicrous."

Last year's 'worst place to live', Hackney in east London, was named the 12th worst in 2007 while Hull was named the second-least desirable town.