Watfordians are among those happier with where they live than people anywhere else in Britain.

The town came ninth in an annual survey which asked 24,000 people to rate how content they are with where they live.

Participants of the Rightmove poll were asked to consider 12 aspects including decor, space, contentment, value, community, area upkeep, pride, costs, safety, amenities, recreation, and neighbourliness.

Harrogate topped the poll, while Shrewsbury ranked second, Ipswich third and York and Chester completing the top five.

Elected Mayor Dorothy Thornhill she was thrilled to hear of Watford’s top 10 placing.

She said: “It is good that people want to live here and are happy living here.

“The most important thing for me is that people are choosing to live here and spend their lives in Watford which shows a real commitment to the area.

“I love a lot of things about Watford, I like cheering on the Golden Boys, walking in Cassiobury Park and even just sitting in my garden and talking to the neighbours is a pleasure.”

It will come as little surprise to locals that Watford came in the top 20 for costs and top 30 for value, and was once again second in both categories for the regional polls.

The town has become a hot-spot for commuters in recent years as skyrocketing house prices have pushed people further out of central London.

However it appears that life isn’t all rosy. When asked to respond to the statement "I have enough living space to live comfortably” Watford came out 82nd.

However, Cllr Thornhill was keen to highlight the town’s positive traits.

She added: “I take great pride in being Mayor of this town but I don’t look at it with rose tinted glasses. I know we have problems but the way Watford has changed in recent years is fantastic.

“I came here as a young adult and Watford is my home, and the change in the way the town is viewed compared to when I came here is huge.”

Hemel Hempstead ranked highest in the south-east of England, in eighth place, with London fairing badly in the poll - with nine of the bottom 10 places in the capital.

Bottom of the list, in 130th place, was the east London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

For more on the survey, visit, click here. 

Do you have any reasons why Watford should have been named the happiest place in the country? Why do you enjoy living in the town? Comment below or email charlotte.ikonen@london.newsquest.co.uk.