WORCESTER is in the bottom 25 per cent of places in the country to bring up a family according to a new survey - and other towns in the county faired even worse.

The report into the best places to bring up a family leaves the Faithful City 310th out of 408.

But there was worse news for Malvern Hills placed at 349, which narrowly beat Wychavon placed at 352.

Two of the county's other towns Redditch and Bromsgrove were placed 283 and 318 respectively.

The county of Hereford-shire was ranked at 345.

Neighbouring Glouces-tershire scored much higher with the Forest of Dean ranked in third place, south Gloucester-shire in eighth place and the towns of Gloucester and Cheltenham reaching 108 and 165 respectively.

The Mayor of Worcester Ian Imray greeted news of the report, which he referred to as "piffle", with utter disbelief.

He said: "I don't know what criteria they based the research on but it is ridiculous to put us so low down. We are a very pleasant city in the middle of England.

"I came here and loved it so much I brought my family up here and I can't give a better recommendation than that."

The survey by the Readers Digest was based on a poll of parents across the country. They were asked which factors most affected family life.

Parents said good schools and a low crime rate were their most important requirements for good places to bring up a family followed by good local hospitals, affordable family housing and high employment.

Low risk of flooding was the sixth most important factor, which could explain why Worcester-shire, which has suffered from a bout of flooding this winter, did not fair better. The report also showed that rural areas, with a good sense of community, were most popular with families.

However, Councillor Imray argued that Wor-cester had a fantastic sense of community.

East Dunbartonshire, in Scotland, was awarded the top spot as the best place to bring up a family in Britain.