WINCHESTER has again been rated one of the best places to live in the country, according to a new survey.

The quality of life survey by Halifax found that people in the district typically enjoy above average earnings, better health, greater longevity, bigger houses, less crime and better GCSE results than the rest of the county.

Winchester was ranked second in Hampshire — behind Hart district — and 18th out of 408 local authorities in the UK.

Elsewhere in Hampshire, Fareham ranked 48th, Test Valley 50th, Eastleigh 71st, the New Forest 78th, and Basingstoke and Deane 80th.

Hart, according to the survey, has a higher employment rate of 86 per cent compared with 83.9 per cent in Winchester, and people live on average 81 years, compared to 80 years in Winchester.

However, Hart is the biggest polluter in the county at 36.06 tonnes, followed by Winchester at 34.25 tonnes per household. The national average is 28.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide per household.

Leader of Winchester City Council, Cllr George Beckett, said: “I am delighted that the quality of life for Winchester residents in recognised in this survey.

“We all know that Winchester is a fabulous place to live and we must work hard to ensure it remains so.”

Winchester topped the Hampshire districts in terms of highest average earnings at £784 per week, followed by Hart on £754 and Basingstoke and Deane at £634 per week.

The size of average earnings is also a key factor in determining house prices, other surveys have shown.

The survey also found the Isle of Wight is one of the greenest areas of Hampshire, and enjoyed the most sunshine in the UK, getting an average 37.7 hours a week.

Elmbridge in Surrey topped the list as the best place to live in the UK while Southampton is not listed. Despite analysing results for 408 local authorities, Halifax only published a list of the best 250 places to live.

It said it does not publish details of places that rank poorly in its index – which gathers data from sources including the Office for National Statistics, the Met Office and the Department for Transport.

Do you think the survey is accurate? Leave your thoughts below.