Winchester is 'second best place to live in UK'

The programme named Edinburgh as the best place in the UK to live and Winchester second. Last year Winchester came first.

Winchester lost the top spot due to environmental factors. On average each Winchester resident emits 3.1 tonnes of carbon per year - far higher than in any other of the top 20 places to live.

As a result Winchester City Council will create a climate change plan for the district to encourage the Council, residents and organisations to do their bit to reduce their impact.

The residents of Winchester are also trying to change the City's impact on the environment, with a new group - Winchester Action on Climate Change- having just launched.

However Winchester was praised for many things including quality of life, a higher than the national average life expectancy - with women expected to live to 82 and men 80, impressively low levels of crime - including car thefts at half the national average and thefts from homes only 2.3 in every 1,000, and fantastic cultural and heritage opportunities including the Cathedral, the Theatre Royal and the City Council's Museums.

Cllr George Beckett, leader of the council, said:  "We are all delighted to be named the best place to live in England even though we are now second to Edinburgh in the UK. I must say Edinburgh is a wonderful city and a worthy competitor to Winchester in this contest. We are determined to continue making changes and get ourselves back to the top spot next year. A huge thank you goes to all the workers, volunteers and involved residents who help make Winchester such a great place to live."