RESIDENTS in the region are celebrating after a national survey voted North Yorkshire as the best place to live in England.

The Government asked local authorities nationally to ask residents several questions about the area for its The Place survey.

Compiled by the Communities and Local Government section 10,000 residents in North Yorkshire took part.

The survey asked locals to comment on, and rate, their home areas to find the best county to live in and the answers have placed North Yorkshire and Dorset joint top.

In North Yorkshire 87.1 per cent of people asked were satisfied that the local area was a good place to live.

County councillor John Weighell, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said: "It is very gratifying that North Yorkshire has come out joint top of all English counties.

"It is particularly good because this was no theoretical exercise, but the result of real people telling the researchers exactly what they like and dislike about where they live."

In North Yorkshire the seven district councils compiled the answers and sent them to the county to put together for the government.

Accountants Price Waterhouse Cooper then studied the results to create the national picture.

The survey found that in North Yorkshire concerns over anti-social behaviour were lower than anywhere else.

It also showed that more people thought the police and councils were dealing with concerns over anti-social behaviour than in other counties.

Volunteering and being part of local decision making are rated highest in the Yorkshire and Humber region nationally.

While the county ranked best in the region for people from different backgrounds getting on well and for people treating others with respect.

Pat Walker, of Pickhill, near Northallerton, said: "North Yorkshire is a fantastic area to live in.

"We have the best coastline and countryside and the nicest people. I think we are a well kept secret and it does not surprise me that we’ve come so high."

Barry Ogleby, of Thirsk, said: "I think North Yorkshire is brilliant. I love it here and I’m very passionate about it.

"I think everyone should experience it here and I can’t speak to highly of North Yorkshire."

In the North East region Darlington Borough Council saw 79.2 per cent of those asked say that they were satisfied that the local area was a good place to live.

In Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council area the figure was 77.8 per cent and in Hartlepool Borough Council’s zone it was 76.5 per cent.

Durham County Council’s figure was 75.8 per cent, in Middlesbrough Council’s area it was 73.8 per cent and in the Redcar and Cleveland it was 71.6 per cent.

Communities Secretary John Denham MP said: "This survey gives us an important and comprehensive insight in to what people think of where they live and their local authorities.

"The good news is that most people are generally positive about where they live and their quality of life."