Revealed: The worst towns to live in Britain

It is the kind of tabletopping performance the good citizens of Middlesbrough could do without.

While other towns and cities win accolades for their culture, sport and lively social scenes, the only recognition heading for the oncemighty industrial port is that of worst place to live in the country.

The town has achieved its unwanted eminence through high crime, severe drug and health problems, and poor education results.

According to researchers for the Channel 4 show Location, Location, Location, which compiles an annual list of the best and worst places to live, Middlesbrough has plenty of other problems too.

Estimates suggest that about 27 per cent of adults in the city bingedrink, way over the 18 per cent England national average. Only 16 per cent of adults eat healthily and 10 per cent are physically active, against 24 per cent and 12 per cent national averages respectively.

Its residents are paid on average £16,998 a year, against a national figure of £23,580, making it the 16th lowest city or borough for salary in the country.

Last year Hackney, in East London, was ranked the worst place to have a home but it is 12th this year.

Hull is now second, followed by Newham in East London.

Indeed, a quarter of the worst 20 are London local authorities.

The best place to live will be announced on Location, Location, Location on Wednesday.

Presenter Phil Spencer said: 'Each year we seem to create a storm of controversy with this survey but it's all based on official data and all we do is tell you the results.' Fellow presenter Kirstie Allsopp added: 'What I want more than anything is to champion, not condemn, the places on the worst list as there are some real diamonds in the rough.'

But the show's survey, which did not include Scotland and Northern Ireland, was dismissed by David Budd, leader of the controlling Labour group on Middlesbrough council. 'We've got a massive regeneration programme taking place, we have one of the country's fastestgrowing universities, we have the largest new public square in the country, and the BBC Proms hosted a concert here this year,' he said.

'No one would deny we have enormous problems but to say Middlesbrough is the worst place to live in the country is ludicrous.'