Just popping out for a pint …to Carlisle

BATH has beaten off 34 other cities to be named as the best place in Britain to raise a family.

The Somerset city scored highly for wages, job prospects, schools and parks.

It took the top spot from Newcastle, where job opportunities fell, an annual Family Living Index found. Cities were judged on factors affecting family life including school rankings, crime, green spaces, house prices and employment.

MoneySuperMarket, which compiled the index, said: “Bath is the place to be for young families, seeing positive movements in almost all categories. The level of outstanding schools and job opportunities helped the city climb the charts.”

The Roman city, which leapt from fifth place last year, had the most work opportunities with 13.76 jobs per 100 people.

And with average salaries at £29,806, the UNESCO World Heritage Site beat the UK average of £26,676. Yet the North dominated the top 10, with Manchester, Sunderland and Wakefield rated highly for their family-friendly environments.

The index named London, with its sky-high property prices, as the worst city for a young family, followed by Kingston upon Hull and Bristol. DRINKERS in Carlisle sup the cheapest beer at an average £2.60 a pint, according to a new guide.

Chelmsford in Essex came in second at £2.60 with Newport, South Wales, third on £2.75.

Pub-goers in London are hardest-hit, splashing £5.19 for every drink. Oxford is the second most expensive spot on £4.57, followed by Edinburgh on £4.35, according to comparison site Money Guru.

The report said: “Beer prices are a highly contentious issue, with price hikes becoming more and more frequent.

“At the end of 2017, the average pint of bitter rose above £3 for the first time in history, while lager now sits at £3.58.”