CIRENCESTER has been named one of the happiest places in Britain to live in.

The Cotswold capital was selected as the happiest place to live in the south west, and the fifth happiest nationally, according to results from a Rightmove survey which were published earlier this week.

More than 26,000 residents completed the survey which asked people questions about where they live and and the things that make them happy.

Cheltenham placed 10th in the region, 65th nationally, while Gloucester ranked 12th and 76th respectively.

However, it was the borough of Richmond upon Thames in London which was crowned the happiest place in Britain to live in - the first time an area in the capital has taken the top spot. 

In the national list the city of Winchester in Hampshire placed second, and Monmouth in Wales placed third.

The study found that feeling a sense of pride, belonging, and community is most likely to contribute to feeling happy to live in an area, more so than having access to things like public transport, schools and job opportunities.

Access to green space and nature was also important to residents.

The results showed that those living in a rural area near a national park, or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, were more likely to feel happy about the area they lived in.

To find out more about the survey visit tinyurl.com/3nsemwzy