KENDAL is one of the top ten best places to live in the whole of the North West, according to a special study.

The historic market town has been assessed for 'quality of life' indicators like standard of schools, natural beauty, low crime rates, cultural life and unemployment levels.

And it has ranked the town in the ten best across the whole region - the only town in Cumbria to break into the list, which is dominated by Cheshire.

The list, which does not award positions within the top ten, also features Crosby, Merseyside; Lytham St Annes, Lancashire; Heswall, Wirral; Chester, Cheshire; Clitheroe, Lancashire; Northwich, Cheshire; Hale, Cheshire; Didsbury, Manchester, and Ramsbottom, Lancashire.

Other factors considered include transport links, whether it has a local festival, fascinating architecture and, curiously for Kendal, its property prices.

The survey was carried out on behalf of The Sunday Times's Best Places To Live which aims to identify the 'Nirvanas' of the UK.

South Lakeland District Council deputy leader Clare Feeney-Johnson said: "SLDC is proud that Kendal has been named as one of the top ten places to live in the North West.

"It is this kind of recognition of South Lakeland’s villages and towns that will help bring investment into the area."

Tell us below in the comments section what you think is good or bad about Kendal.