THE Orkney Islands have been identified as Britain's best rural place to live for the second year in a row according to a new survey.
The latest Halifax 2018 Rural Areas Quality of Life Survey awarded the Scottish island the top spot and put Rutland in the East Midlands in second place. It was followed by Wychavon in the West Midlands.
The annual study looks at aspects of life including employment, education as well as social and environmental factors to make the findings. The Orkney Islands remained at number one after scoring high on employment levels, average spend per pupil on education, low anxiety levels, low crime rates, low primary class sizes and consistently high scores in life satisfaction and happiness.
Russell Galley, Managing Director, and Halifax, said: "With strong education and employment levels, low crime rates and residents loving life, not to mention breathtaking wide open spaces, the Orkney Islands have retained the crown of Britain's best rural place to live."
Ends
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