THE Ribble Valley has topped the tables after being voted the rural area with the best quality of life in the North West.

The valley scored 84 in the Halifax Rural Areas Quality of Life Survey for 2011 – the second highest of all areas in Great Britain.

Ribble Valley Borough Coun Stuart Carefoot, who represents the Derby and Thornley ward, said: “These results do not surprise me.

"The Ribble Valley is a superb place to live.”