Glos is top spot for country living (From Stroud News and Journal)

Glos is top spot for country living

GLOUCESTERSHIRE has been voted the second best county in Britain by Country Life magazine.

Writers assessed the counties in 13 different categories including education, property prices and sunshine hours to find out the best place to live.

And Gloucestershire scored 64 out of a possible 100 and shared second place with Cornwall.

It scored high on education, which was awarded five out of five - one of only two counties from 37 to do so well.

The other was Warwickshire.

Gloucestershire also did extremely well for its average property price, county council, sunshine hours and burglary statistics by dropping just one point in each category.

The county fell down on its lack of, outstanding pubs scoring just one out of five.

Marks were awarded by comparing statistics from independent bodies such as the Good

Pub Guide as well as from Government departments.

Sgt Mike Yhnell of Stroud police said he was not surprised Gloucestershire's burglary statistics were commended.

He said: "The figures have been consistently good over the last few years.

"It isn't something you achieve overnight.

"It's down to hard work."

He said the number of burglaries had gone down partly because police had targeted persistent offenders, who were now locked away.

Archway head Viv Warren, chairman of the Gloucestershire Association of Secondary Heads, said there were some truly outstanding schools in the county which contributed to its education success.

She said: "There is good quality right across the board.

"This is due to lots of wonderful children, supportive parents, very good teachers and heads and some good services from the LEA.

"It is a team effort."

Pub owner Nick Beardsley of The Old Fleece, The Britannia and Tipputs Inn had less faith in the survey.

He said: "I was totally surprised. I know of at least three really good pubs around here."

* Stroud features in the newly published Rough Guide to England.

The guide calls it "a working town, ..which doesn't need to peddle its heritage to survive."

It is described as "a thriving alternative centre" with a "scenic setting", but unfortunately suffers from a "laddish pub culture."