East Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire are two of the UK s best places to live, according to a survey. The Quality of Life Survey, compiled with 250 local authorities, was carried out by the Halifax Bank in an attempt to find out which areas within t

East Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire are two of the UK's best places to live, according to a survey.

The Quality of Life Survey, compiled with 250 local authorities, was carried out by the Halifax Bank in an attempt to find out which areas within the UK offer the best quality of life.

The study ranked authorities across a range of areas.

These included employment, earnings, house prices, crime rates, weather, and health and education statistics.

The survey suggests that quality of life is greater in the South-East and East of England, with nine entries in the top 10, and with the majority of the top 30 areas in the UK.

Residents from Buntingford, Westmill, Standon, Hormead, and Furneaux Pelham should be happy as East Herts finished in an impressive seventh place.

Buntingford Town Council clerk Jill Jones said: "East Herts provides the best of both worlds in that residents benefit from a rural environment but have easy access to the city, and road links to other parts of the country are good.

"In comparison with many other areas, the crime rate is low, unemployment is low, and the standard of education is high.

"The streets are comparatively clear of litter, and the preservation of our listed buildings and conservation areas ensures that a good mix of old and new is maintained."

It was also good news for Crow readers in Melbourn, Shepreth, Bassingbourn, Barrington, and Foxton, as South Cambs also finished in the top 10 - claiming tenth position.

Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cllr Dr David Bard said: "South Cambridgeshire is a vibrant district of 102 villages, and I'm delighted that the good quality of life that is so evident in our communities has been recognised.

"The district council works hard alongside our residents and partners to maintain and improve life, by delivering high quality services."

Their neighbours in North Herts should also be proud after finishing in a respectable 69th place.

District council leader Cllr F John Smith said: "We are very pleased that North Herts has been recognised as one of the best places to live in the country.

"It has low unemployment and crime, beautiful countryside, high quality schools, good transport links, and a strong community spirit.

"On top of all this, we have a rich historical past and a strong future. No wonder we are the envy of so many others."

For the rest of the UK, the highest ranked area in Scotland was the remote Shetlands Islands which was ranked at 118, and the highest placed Welsh entrant was rural Monmouthshire at 158.

Overall, it is claimed residents in the picturesque area of Elmbridge, Surrey, which is home to a number of Premiership footballers, have the best quality of life in the UK.

TOP 10

1 Elmbridge

2 Hart

3 Wokingham

4 Chiltern

5 East Dorset

6 South Bucks

7 East Herts

8 Aylesbury Vale

9 St Albans

10 South Cambs

BOTTOM 10

1 Wandsworth

2 Western Isles

3 Midlothian

4 Chorley

5 Stockton-on-Tees

6 Teesdale

7 Northampton

8 Nuneaton and Bedworth

9 High Peak

10 Swindon