COLCHESTER has been ranked as the 87th best place to live in the UK.

According to the Halifax quality of life survey, the borough has a happiness rating of 7.5 out of ten and a life satisfaction value of 7.6 – both above the national average.

The average weekly income is £642 and the employment rate is 71.1 per cent.

Crime in the borough is 22.5 per cent and the town sees 32.4 hours of sunshine per week.

Colchester mayor John Elliott said: “I am quite happy with life in Colchester and we have one of the highest employment levels in the area.

“The way of life is really good here.

“To be in the top 100 is brilliant. I don’t know why the others came off better, but to come that place in the country is good.

“I think we do deserve it. It is a good life in Colchester.”

Top in the country was Hart, in Hampshire, while Uttlesford came sixth in the list with Babergh, which includes Brantham and East Bergholt, 24th and Braintree 141th.

However, Tendring missed out on being included in the top 250 districts across the UK.

Val Guglielmi, Tendring Council chairman, said: “We have got some lovely places – Frinton, Thorpe, and here in Lawford, Manningtree and Mistley.

“These are absolutely beautiful.

“I am shocked to hear we are not in the top 250.

“Manningtree is England’s smallest town.

“There are some undesirable areas, but they obviously haven’t chosen the right people to speak to.

“Our education system is now improving and we don’t have all the crime we have in other areas.

“It is a safe and lovely place to be.”