WORCESTER has been hailed a "saucy number" in the Sunday Times's guide to the Best Places to Live in Britain.

The newspaper gave a low-down on the 64 cities, with Worcester being described as being "small enough to be a market town" but with plenty going for it, including regeneration plans for Lowesmoor Wharf helping it to evolve and transport links with the M5.

The Faithful City was also praised for packing in a "fabulous" cathedral, the University of Worcester, Worcester Racecourse, "several very good schools" and its heritage of producing Royal Worcester porcelain and Worcestershire Sauce.

Housing prices were also looked upon favourably, with the buyers' market being a "third less than in Cheltenham".

While across the county border, Hereford was labelled the "cider capital" and "more mellow" than most cities being "splendidly isolated from the big metropolises amid farming country".

It was singled out as a place to go for food fans and the imminent opening of the Old Cattle Market shopping centre was described as "hot news".

The study revealed Bristol as the best city to live in.