WORCESTER'S Bath Road has been revealed to be among one of the 'most normal' areas in England.

The key city street came third in a study which measured which areas mostly closely represented the lifestyle and opinions of people living in England.

The road, which is home to Acorns Children's Hospice, the Ketch pub and, soon, a new Aldi, was just pipped at the post by the nearby town of Droitwich, which was the second 'most normal' area.

Researchers formed the view that the lifestyles, opinions and experiences of people living in both areas were 'average' by looking at 11 key metrics from ONS and Census data.

Among them was age, ethnicity, marital status, property ownership, employment, unemployment, Euroscepticism, income and house prices.

The study was inspired by the 1940s movie Magic Town, in which a man stumbles upon a small town which he believes is perfectly representative of the nation’s views.

Malcolm Copson, who lives on Bath Road, Worcester, said: "I'm not sure what makes us normal?

"It's a bit of a stereotype actually because it's multi-occupancy. At the top of the road you have private houses with long drives and large gardens and on the other side of the road we've got council houses, some have been bought, others not.

"As far as ethnicity we've seen an expansion of different ethnic groups coming into the area.

"On top of that there are industrial units which add to the equation so it's a bit of a stereotype to talk about 'the Bath Road'. I think we are quite diverse."

Mr Copson said he liked living in the road.

He said: "I wouldn't wish to move.

"There are close links to go into the city centre.

"You have an opportunity to walk down along the river and you feel as safe here as anywhere."

Roy Murphy, the Mayor of Droitwich, said: "I'm not quite sure how you define normal.

"We have got a culture and heritage and these aspects are starting to bloom.

"There's a high incidence of volunteering, I've visited dozens of volunteer groups in the past two years which are going from strength to strength.

"And we are very sporty. There are sports activities for all ages, swimming, football and tennis."

Lynne Duffy, deputy leader of Wychavon District Council, who lives in Droitwich, said: "We are better than normal.

"I think that's quite a bland description for our little town which is quirky.

"It's a hidden treasure of Worcestershire.

"We have our salt heritage. We have our Lido.

"We have a very unusual high street. I'd like to see a better description."

The research was completed by ASI Data Science, a consultancy specialising in data science, advanced polling and artificial intelligence.

Researched used new techniques for the study which they hope will help Government, organisations and businesses make more informed decisions.

The 'most normal' area in England was Didcot, Oxfordshire.

Three facts about Bath Road, Worcester

  • Home to Acorn's Children's Hospice, after the land was gifted by June Sayce and her late husband Willie
  • Worcester woman was a political term made famous in the 1997 to describe an average voter. It is said a party - has to win Worcester to win a General Election
  • The road is notable for its traffic congestion and seemingly never-ending roadworks

    Three facts about Droitwich Spa
  • The town is famous for salt and people flocked to its Brine Baths in the mid-19th century
  • Rik Mayall lived in the town and once famously name-checked it in an episode of Blackadder
  • Edward Winslow, from the town, was one of the pilgrim fathers who travelled to America aboard The Mayflower