NOT for the first time, East Lancashire's renowned Ribble Valley is rated one of the best places in Britain in which to live.

For in a new national survey to find the localities offering the best quality of life for the 21st century, it ranks an elevated eleventh out of the UK's 376 local authority areas.

It is a finding that endorses others in recent years showing the Valley is a highly desirable place -- including those of university-led studies and even reported royal regard for the spot as a retirement retreat.

But though its scenic pastoral beauty is manifest the Ribble Valley has a whole array of practical assets that add to its attraction.

Indeed, this latest survey covered such issues as employment opportunities, income levels, fear of crime, school performances, road congestion, population density, affordability of housing and access to quality retail and leisure amenities. And the area emerging so highly placed in such a thorough test speaks eloquently of its all-around allure.

True, there are flaws. Rates of burglary and vehicle crime, the survey found, are relatively high -- but, even then, levels of crime in the Valley are less than half the average for Lancashire. And while its average house price of £82,859 may be a modest 178th -- just above mid-table -- the national league, East Lancashire buyers know that this amount will not buy very much in this up-market area.

And perhaps this is the greatest weak spot in the Ribble Valley's character. For it is in danger of becoming a place with a high quality of life for a select group -- those who can afford to live there.

For its essence to be upheld, the Ribble Valley needs to be the home of Ribble Valley folk rather than to progress still further to becoming the dormitory location for prosperous newcomers who travel to work elsewhere. Admirably, its local authority is embarked on ring-fencing former council housing for future sale only to locals. But with the collapse of the agricultural economy and rural business at the hand sof the foot and mouth epidemic other groups may need help to remain Ribble Valley residents.