BURNLEY Councils leader has hit out after the town was named as one of the 20 worst places to live in the country.

Pollsters for Location, Location, Location, which is fronted by Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsop, compiled their controversial list after comparing towns and cities on criteria such as crime, environment, lifestyle, health, education and employment.

Seaside mecca Blackpool was the worst place in Lancashire, in the programme's survey, but Burnley also made the top 20.

But the league table, in which Burnley was ranked 19th, has incensed council leader Gordon Birtwistle, who has pointed to the record levels of investment and regeneration planned for the borough.

Coun Birtwistle said: "This is typical of London-based media. It is a disgrace. As far as I am concerned, it is only those who come up here and meet the people of Burnley that truly have the right to judge the borough.

"Yes the borough has challenges, but we are meeting up to those challenges. Almost a £1billion pound of investment is transforming the borough, from new schools and new houses, to exciting plans to redevelop the town centre.

"We are making an impact on the environment too. We've now moved up to the first division in street cleaning and are winning awards. Our pride is in our people. To me Burnley is the best place to live."

Tourism chiefs have cited the down-to-earth humour of Burnley folk, the Clarets, Towneley and Gawthorpe Halls, picturesque Cliviger and Worsthorne, and the stunning countryside surrounding the town as prime reasons for living locally. Thousands flock to the town from all over the world, for the popular Rhythm and Blues Festival each Easter.

Phil Spencer said: "Every year we seem to create a storm of controversy with this survey but it is based on official data."

Middlesbrough was named the worst place in the country to live.

Burnley's Council's top ten great things about the town

  • The people's humour, friendliness and honesty
  • History and heritage: Towneley and Gawthorpe Halls, Queen Street Mill, Weavers' Triangle
  • Burnley Football Club
  • Roadlinks: Easy access to the Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Leeds, Manchester, Blackpool.
  • Village life in Cliviger and Worsthorne.
  • Four award-winning green flag' parks.
  • Surrounding countryside.
  • Burnley town centre - shops and buzzing nightlife.
  • Burnley Youth Theatre, Burnley Mechanics, festivals and the arts
  • The future: £1 billion of investment