THE Ribble Valley is the second best place to live in Britain, according to a new survey.

Data collected on house-to-income ratios and the Life Satisfaction Index from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows residents in the area are among the happiest in the country.

There is only one place happier in fact, Allerdale in Cumbria, experts say.

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Nigel Evans, Ribble Valley MP said he was shocked to find that the area didn’t come top of the table.

He said: “We have fantastic schools, low crime rates, vibrant town centres such as Clitheroe, Longridge, and Whalley.

“It’s a very safe friendly area, I was walking through the Clitheroe food festival and asked a policeman if he was going to have any trouble and he laughed and said we wouldn’t get anything like that here.”

The survey asked residents in each area how satisfied they are with their lives and asked to score it from 1 to 10.

Combined with house prices figures and average incomes, Ribble Valley scored 7.8 out of 10 for happiness and an average house price to income ratio of 3.6.

Cllr Sue Knox, the Mayor of Clitheroe said: “We are incredibly lucky with the countryside and towns like Clitheroe.

“A big thank you is needed for charity and volunteer organisations for their contributions.

“We have high volunteer rates and people like to get involved in helping each other, this is a big factor to why people are so happy.”

Mr Evans added: “Its one of Britain’s little gems. I see people come to the Ribble Valley and their eyes light up.

“There is something for everyone, everyone is welcome here.”

Allerdale in Cumbria came top with a house price ratio of 3.4 and an equal satisfactory rating of 7.8 out of 10.