A NEW report claims that Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle are among the five worst places in the North of England to live.

The survey by the Your Housing Group places the Ribble Valley as fourth most attractive borough for home seekers in the region.

The report ranks 72 council areas across the North of England in terms of house prices, rental costs, unemployment rates, position on the national index of deprivation, and quality of schools.

The survey also includes the availability of homes to rent or buy, the ease of getting and cost of mortgages, the availability of work and wage rates.

According to the new Northern Powerhouse Liveability Index, published today, (TUESDAY) Blackburn with Darwen comes 70th of the 72 local authority areas and Pendle 68th. Bottom are Bradford and Oldham.

Rossendale comes at 38, Burnley at 30, Hyndburn at 56, and Chorley at 32.

The top three places to live are South Lakeland, Fylde and Craven.

Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said: “This survey is rubbish.

“The compilers have not caught up with what has been happening in the borough.

“The council, private companies and individuals and a variety of agencies have been working hard to make major improvements to housing and other aspects of the area.

“Exam results and Ofsted inspections show that Blackburn with Darwen has some of the best schools in the country.”

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, said: “I am very surprised by these results.

“Pendle has some beautiful countryside where people are very keen to come and live.

“We do have some challenging housing in some of our towns but the Government has refused to release the council the funds needed to improve these properties.”

Ribble Valley Council leader Cllr Ken Hind said: “IWe are very proud of our borough and it is not surprising so many people want to come and live here.”

Blackburn with Darwen has an unemployment rate of 6.2 per cent compared to 4.5 per cent across the UK.

The English Indices of Deprivation describes 30.8 per cent of Blackburn and Darwen’s neighbourhoods as ‘deprived’.

Brian Cronin, chief executive of Your Housing Group, said: “This significant new research reveals the hidden problem areas for average earners in towns and cities across the North of England. Importantly it also shows where we need to see the development of more genuinely affordable homes.”

Northern Powerhouse Partnership Director Henri Murison said: “It is not accurate when people claim it is grim up North - prosperity and inequalities vary from area to area.”