YORK has lost its title as best place to live in Britain to Salisbury, it has been revealed.

Last year The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide named York as Britain's most desirable city to live and work in.

But the national newspaper today (Sunday, April 14) revealed that this year's title had been handed to another medieval city - Salisbury.

York, however, remains in top spot for the North and North-East of England, winning praise 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.

The guide says that Salisbury takes the Best Place to Live in Britain crown for the first time thanks to its "divine beauty, fronted by its 13th century cathedral".

It adds: "The city has a thriving marketplace – with Nando’s in a medieval home and the Odeon cinema in a 15th-century building – and some of the best schools in the Southwest of England.

"Shortly after the novichok poisonings in March 2018, the shops were empty, the tourists were staying away, and the locals were feeling uneasy.

"Now there is a real optimism in the air – with plans announced last month to connect the whole city to full-fibre broadband, and the cafes are brimming. Genuine tourists are returning, not just to see one of the most glorious cathedrals in Britain, its grounds a scenic meeting point for dog walkers, picnickers and joggers, but to enjoy historic landscapes, crystal-clear streams and meadows dotted with sheep."

Earlier this week the Lord Mayor of York , Cllr Keith Orrell, reacted to the news that York had been named the best city in the North.

He 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.”

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

The Sunday Times guide also named the Isle of Dogs as the best place to Live in London, and Petworth as the best place to Live in the Southeast.