Richmond upon Thames has been named the fifth best place in the UK for quality of life, according to new research published by The Times.

The Better Lives Index, created by the International Longevity Centre (ILC) think tank, ranked local authorities across the country on nine measures of living well.

These included life expectancy at birth, child poverty rates, pollution, disposable income, housing costs, avoidable mortality, life expectancy at 65, economic activity for over-16s, and economic inactivity of 50 to 64-year-olds.

Top of the table was Hart in Hampshire, followed by Kingston-upon-Thames, Epsom and Ewell, Bracknell Forest, with Richmond rounding out the top five.

By contrast, the lowest-ranked areas were found in parts of the north of England, the Midlands, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. East Lindsey in Lincolnshire, which includes the seaside town of Skegness, came bottom.

The ILC says the findings show how strongly the place a person is born and grows old in can affect their life outcomes.

Richmond borough has been named the fifth best place in the UK to live (credit: Cesar Medina).

For example, life expectancy at birth differs by an average of four years between the highest and lowest ranked areas.

The biggest gap is nine years between Richmond, where residents can expect to live to 85, and Blackpool, where the average life expectancy is just 76.

"Getting policy and support right in every place could deliver huge untapped potential and add billions of pounds to the economy."

Ben Franklin, deputy chief executive of the ILC, said: "The Better Lives Index shows how where you're born, grow up and grow old shapes your life chances — from life expectancy at birth, child poverty, housing affordability, to job opportunities.

"Getting policy and support right in every place could deliver huge untapped potential and add billions of pounds to the economy."

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