YORK has been knocked off top spot as the best city in Britain - but retains its crown as best place to live in the North of England, according to a national newspaper.

The city is one of 10 hot spots in the North and North-East that have been named among the best places to live in Britain by The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

The accolade comes ahead of the full list, including the overall winner, which will be published on Sunday.

York, which was the overall winner of the award last year, has been praised for its artful blend of old and new, with gigabit broadband speeds and up-to-date food and shopping options, as well as a family atmosphere.

The supplement says it assesses a wide range of factors, from employment, schools and broadband speed to culture, community spirit and local shops, in order to compile the list of top locations to live.

Lord Mayor of York , Cllr Keith Orrell, said: “This is not surprising at all and follows other similar accolades. But why restrict York to the 'North of Britain' when it could easily be said that York is the best place in Britain and many of the visitors from Europe and beyond that we have met would agree with that.

“I have said to many people over the past few months that York must be the best place in the country to be Mayor or Lord Mayor. The Civic Party goes to so many engagements that highlight all that is wonderful about York”

Sean Bullick, managing director, Make It York, said: “York is a City of Media Arts and is also the UK’s first gigabit city, offering new opportunities for residents and attracting new investment. With two leading universities, independent retailers, world class attractions, 2,000 years of history and stunning architecture, York as a place to live and work is hard to beat.”

Mary Weastell, chief executive of City of York Council, said: “We welcome the news that The Sunday Times has named York as the best place to live in the North and North-East 2019. We are known for our considerable assets: our internationally-important heritage, our strengths as a science city, our creative industries and cultural offer, our digital infrastructure, our young and highly-skilled workforce, our world-leading universities and excellent schools and colleges. 

“York’s thriving retail and visitor economy welcomes seven million visitors every year. Giles Coren, amongst others, has recognised us as a foodie’s centre of the universe and our Christmas market is the best in the UK. Conde Nast described us as its city of best architecture and we were also named the most friendly, community-spirited, festive, summer-friendly and Britain’s favourite city.”

Mary Weastell, chief executive of City of York Council said: "We welcome the news that The Sunday Times has named York as the best place to live in the North and Northeast 2019. We are known for our considerable assets: our internationally-important heritage, our strengths as a science city, our creative industries and cultural offer, our digital infrastructure, our young and highly- skilled workforce, our world-leading universities and excellent schools and colleges. 

"York’s thriving retail and visitor economy welcomes 7 million visitors every year. Giles Coren, amongst others, has recognised us as a foodie’s centre of the universe and our Christmas market is the best in the UK. Conde Nast described us as its city of best architecture and we were also named the most friendly, community-spirited, festive, summer-friendly and Britain’s favourite city."

After York, Allendale in Northumberland was runner-up in the North, followed by Beverley in East Yorkshire.