A Lancashire district has been named among the top 10 places in the North West for outdoor eating and drinking this summer.
Wyre, which includes Fleetwood, Poulton-le-Fylde, and Garstang, ranked 10th in the region in a new study looking at the best places to dine alfresco.
The research, carried out by garden furniture retailer White Stores, analysed all 361 local authorities across the UK and scored them on factors including summer weather, outdoor space, surrounding scenery, the number of places to eat out, and the affordability of groceries.
Wyre achieved an Alfresco Index score of 48.2 out of 100, placing it 249th nationally but still among the North West's top 10 destinations for enjoying food and drink outdoors.
The region was topped by Cumberland, which scored 55.4 and ranked 103rd nationally.
Researchers said the area's high position was helped by its Lake District scenery, extensive protected landscapes, and almost 1,900 places to eat out.
Cheshire West and Chester came second in the North West rankings with a score of 54.9, followed by Wirral on 54.
Wigan was fourth with 53.9, benefiting from one of the region's largest selections of food venues, while Sefton completed the top five with a score of 53.4.
The top 10 North West locations were:
- Cumberland – 55.4
- Cheshire West and Chester – 54.9
- Wirral – 54
- Wigan – 53.9
- Sefton – 53.4
- Warrington – 53
- Stockport – 52.8
- Trafford – 52.3
- Westmorland and Furness – 51.7
- Wyre – 48.2
At the opposite end of the scale, Rossendale ranked 358th out of 361 local authorities, making it the lowest-ranked area in England for alfresco dining in the study.
Commenting on the findings, Rob Mead, Buying Director at White Stores, said: "Eating outdoors is one of the simplest pleasures of a British summer, and this research shows how much the experience varies from one part of the country to the next – from the weather and the choice of places to eat out, to how much private garden space people have at home.
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"Wherever someone lives, a comfortable set of table and chairs, a bit of shade, and some shelter can turn a garden, balcony, or patio into the best seat in the house for the few warm months we get."
The Alfresco Index weighted summer weather and outdoor space most heavily, with both accounting for 27 per cent of the overall score.
Setting quality and dining options each contributed 18 per cent, while grocery affordability made up the remaining nine per cent.
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