A study has revealed East Lancashire is home to four of the best areas for young families in the UK.

The research, conducted by moving platform Getamover.co.uk, rated areas based on 17 key factors including average house prices, crime rates, and proximity to parks and libraries.

Burnley topped the list with a score of 71.9 out of 100, 39 per cent higher than the UK average of 51.8.

Pendle, Hyndburn, and Blackburn also made the top 10, scoring 68.8, 68.4, and 67.5 respectively.

Burnley’s high score can be credited to its low property prices.

It is the second-least expensive region for first-time buyers in the UK, with the average buyer spending £101,268 on their first home.

The average house prices for first-time buyers in Pendle, Hyndburn, and Blackburn with Darwen are £112,616, £118,807, and £131,750.

David Burrows, head of Getamover.co.uk, said: "Lancashire has certainly established itself as the prime area for young families.

"While it is sad to see some areas of the UK are cutting off younger people due to high property costs, those listed in this study pride themselves on being affordable and accessible to young parents and children."

The research also identified the worst areas for young families, with Westminster coming bottom of the list.

Scoring just 28.2 out of 100, Westminster has an average first-time buyer cost of £865,602, the second most expensive in the country.

The area also has a much older population and the highest crime rate per 100,000 residents.

Mr Burrows said: "For families looking to move, affordability is key, but it's also important to look at the local community, schools, green spaces, and other factors.

"While the average age of an area’s population can seem unimportant, the top regions on this list are popular due to the sense of community amongst families who live there.

"A younger average population often means infrastructure better suited to children, such as primary schools, parks, activity clubs, libraries, and cinemas."

Some of the area 'best areas' include Stoke-on-Trent, East Ayrshire and Hartlepool.

Meanwhile, Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, Hammersmith and Fulham and Mole Valley remain in the lower categories.