THE people of Skipton is the reason why the town has been named amongst the best places to live in Britain say the town's civic leaders.

Mayor, Councillor Sheila Bentley, said: "Skipton is a most wonderful, friendly town, offering a wide range of shops, cafes, and market stalls. Skipton also has many scenic strolls available around the castle, woodlands, and canal paths. It’s a great upcoming town in the dales."

And deputy mayor Cllr Peter Madeley, said he was 'very, very proud' that Skipton had made it into The Sunday Times' best places to live in the north east of the country - 10 years after the newspaper named it the best place to live in Britain.

Cllr Madeley, a relative newcomer to the town, having only lived in Skipton for 45 years, said: "It is a lovely place to live; I am a foreigner, but I would never move away; it is the people who make the town; everyone knows everyone, you walk down the street and everyone says 'hello' its just so friendly."

With Leeds named the most desirable place in the north east, Skipton is joined by other go-to locations including Boston Spa, Saltaire, the Yorkshire Wolds and Whitley Bay.

Of Skipton, the Sunday Times judges said: "Skipton, The 2014 Best Places to Live winner returns to the list, with this friendly market town providing families and active downsizers with everything they need for a happy life on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, including good pubs and restaurants, a smattering of culture and high-achieving schools."

Published by The Sunday Times, the list includes 72 locations across the UK.

Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: "This guide is a celebration of towns, cities and villages that are each a fantastic place to live in 2024, from Dunkeld to Knutsford, Falmouth to Leeds. Wherever you are on the property ladder, there will be somewhere to suit you.

"These are all places where you can feel grounded as well as upwardly mobile: they have a mature sense of community, lively, supportive high streets and an eye to the future, whether that is eco-friendly measures, transport and regeneration, or imaginative inclusion of new housing."