LEDBURY has been voted the best place to live in the Midlands, according to a list in a national newspaper.

But the accolade comes as no surprise to the people who live and work there, in Herefordshire "best kept little secret".

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Annette Crowe, responding to news of the accolade, said: "This is something we know already, who live in Ledbury.

"The town is Herefordshire's little secret, a secret that is now out in the wider world. Ledbury is a fantastic place with really friendly people and a remarkable community spirit."

Cllr Crowe added: "Look at our annual Community Day and all the groups and associations we have.

"Our High Street is one of the best in Britain. It is thriving."

Cllr Crowe said: "It is a huge honour to be major of such a fantastic town."

The leader of Herefordshire Council, said the result was a credit to the people of the town.

The Sunday Times, in announcing the results for the Midlands in its Best Places to Live guide said: "Ledbury in Herefordshire takes top billing in the Midlands thanks in part to the strength of the community, which has fought off big supermarkets to protect the independent stores in the town.”

The Sunday Times, in making its decision looked at criteria such as house prices, local school and crime rates.

This is the second time Ledbury has made the list after it made the top 101 in March 2014, along with Malvern too.

Winchester was voted the overall best place to live in Britain, this year.

Ledbury's iconic buildings include the Market House, built in 1617, and nearby is Eastnor Castle, built at the start of the nineteenth century.

Ledbury also boasts the St. Katherine’s Hospital site, founded c.1231.

The half-timbered Master's House, part of the complex, was recently restored at a cost of £2.9m, and it is a rare survivor from the late 5th century.

It is now the town's new library.

Ledbury has a population of just under 10,000 and attracts people from all over the

country when it hosts the annual Ledbury Poetry

Festival.

The former Poet Laureate, John Masefield, was born in the town and his family still live locally.

The local high school is named after him, and it enjoys significantly better than average results for its GCSE and A-level performances.