NORTHWICH is one of the happiest places to live in the north west.

This is according to a new study published by property giant Rightmove, which annually rounds up the towns and cities across the country where residents are most at peace.

The ‘happy at home’ index, now in its 10th year, asked more than 21,000 people across Britain how they feel about various aspects of where they live.

Happiness measures in the index compiled by Rightmove include friendliness and community spirit, whether people feel they can be themselves and nature and green spaces.

Other factors are opportunities locally to develop skills and amenities such as schools, restaurants, shops and sports facilities.

Northwich was ranked as the ninth happiest place to live in the north west, while the town came 67th nationally.

It was pipped in the regional list by neighbours Chester, which was ranked fourth.

The north west’s happiest place to live, according to the index, is Kendal, with the Lake District town coming 14th nationally.

Hexham in Northumberland has been crowned Britain’s happiest place to live, with St Ives in Cornwall, which came top last year, falling to eighth.

A Rightmove spokesman said: “In what has been an incredibly busy year in the housing market, our latest study shows that moving is making people happier.

“Community is also really key, with feeling a sense of belonging, the friendliness of local residents, and being able to be yourself in an area among the most important measures of happiness.

“We can reveal that Hexham, a picturesque market town in Northumberland, has once again been crowned the happiest place to live in Great Britain in 2021, after also coming first in 2019.

“Richmond Upon Thames in London came second, and Harrogate in Yorkshire is in third place.”