WORCESTER is the best kept city in the UK, according to a new survey conducted by a personal finance company.

Unbroken Britain, a survey by Provident Personal Credit, lists Worcester as the city in the UK that is top for area up-keep.

Provident asked thousands of people in cities across the UK to rate how their hometown scored in a number of categories, including area up-keep, safety and trust.

Each city was given a score out of ten in each category, with one being the worst possible score.

For area up-keep, Worcester scored 7.33, beating Wrexham into second place with 7.31 and Aberystwyth with 7.17. In fourth and fifth place were Aberdeen and York.

Worcester came second in the categories of safety, trust and happiness, in each case being beaten only by Aberystwyth.

And in the welcome and friendliness categories, the Faithful City ranked third, trailing behind Aberystwyth once again and Wrexham.

The city's lowest placing is in the politeness category, where it falls to fourth, behind Aberystwyth, Wrexham and York.

According to the survey: "When it comes to inviting neighbours round for food or drinks, our data shows that Worcester is streets ahead of any other town or city, with 61 per cent of those surveyed inviting their neighbours round.

"87 per cent are happy to greet people in the street, whilst 52 per cent are proud to be from the local area."

The news has been greeted warmly by Worcester MP Robin Walker, who said: "This is fantastic, and a great credit to our council and to the police, who are keeping the city attractive and safe.

"I've always felt that Worcester has hidden its light under a bushel for too long, with an image as a quiet genteel county town.

"It's time we made its qualities more widely known. We've got a buzzing university with lots of students, beautiful parks and a thriving city and we should be glad that's it's being recognised.

"I'm known for my scepticism about loan companies like Provident, but on this occasion I think I can suspend hostilities and congratulate them for getting it right."