St Ives has been named the happiest place to live in Britain in Right Move’s annual Happy at Home Index. Residents also rate their neighrbours as the friendliest in the country.

Overall, people living in rural and coastal areas were found to be happier with where they live than respondents living in cities and urban areas, which reflects a nationwide trend of people desiring better access to outdoor spaces.

Five of the top 20 towns in the survey are in the South West — Falmouth, in Cornwall, is also listed.

Right Move says that demand for property in St Ives has more than doubled — up by 120% — compared to this time last year. The average asking price of a home in the town is £413,414, up 5% on this time last year, and 19% higher than five years ago.