THE Ribble Valley has been voted the 11th best place to live in Britain, according to a national survey.

Experian, the global information solutions company, ranked all of the 376 local authorities in the UK to find which offers the best quality of life for the 21st century.

The survey took into account issues such as employment, prospects, disposable income, fear of crime, schools' performance, road congestion, population density, affordability of housing and access to quality retail and leisure amenities.

Ribble Valley's high ranking compares with Chorley placed 168th, Burnley 198th, Rossendale 210th, Hyndburn 264th, Pendle 286th, and Blackburn with Darwen 291st.

Experian's Bruno Rost explained: "We looked at various aspects when compiling our research. With regards to unemployment, the Ribble Valley has exceptionally low levels of unemployment -- only 1.18 per cent of the national average. There are only 225 adults out of 19,042 who are out of work. This is compared with 5.23 per cent -- 3,406 people out of 66,615 -- in Blackburn with Darwen."

And the average net disposable income of £317 a week is good, according to Bruno, with the Ribble Valley ranking 102nd in the survey on income alone. In Burnley, the average weekly income was £254, and in Blackburn, £251.

Average house price in the Ribble Valley is around £82,859 -- ranking 178th in the UK, which compares with £54,066 in Blackburn -- 45th cheapest place to live in Britain -- and £52,198 in Burnley. Bruno added: "In relation to schools, there is a very good performance rate in the Ribble Valley, which ranks 51st throughout the UK. Around 56 per cent of secondary schools in the area feature in our best performance attainment category."

He said school performances in Burnley were low, with only 10 per cent of schools achieving above average marks. This compared with 32 per cent in Blackburn.

But theft, said Bruno, was found to be relatively high in terms of burglary and vehicle crime in the Ribble Valley, which was found to be 4.5 per cent above the national average. He added: "The main culprits behind such crimes will be people who travel from outside the area to commit burglaries, particularly on remote farms."

A spokesman for Ribble Valley Borough Council, which provided statistical information for the audit, along with Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire County Council, the Probation Service and East Lancashire Health Authority, said: "We must keep the findings in some kind of perspective, as our current crime levels are less than half the Lancashire average."

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Coun Peter Redpath said of the survey: "With three attractive market towns offering specialised shopping facilities in Clitheroe, Longridge and Whalley, many charming villages and miles of glorious countryside, all served by excellent local services, the Ribble Valley has something to offer everyone."