'Proper community spirit': Reasons why Newport was ranked Shropshire's 'happiest' town

Online retailer Furniturebox surveyed around 5,000 people, compiling a list of 70 of the happiest places in the UK - and Newport came tops as the happiest in Shropshire, ranking 33rd happiest in the country.

Locations were ranked according to the beauty of the surroundings and green spaces, provision of good state schools and affordable housing, as well as access to quality pubs, restaurants, independent shops and cultural attractions.

The furniture retailer described Newport as "a small, friendly market town" and commended it for being the home of Shropshire's "highest rated" secondary schools, Newport Girls' and Haberdashers' Adams. 

This year, the town's girls' school once again ranked in the top ten state and grammar schools in the West Midlands, coming in ninth place as well as 25th in the country for GCSE results and 64th in the country overall. 

Academic attainment exam results show Haberdashers' Adams to be the second best in the county - just behind Newport Girls'.

When it comes to affordable housing, a home in Newport will cost a fair chunk less than its cheery counterparts.

Stratford-upon-Avon, for example, which took the crown for the happiest place to live in the UK, has an average house price of £382,000 according to Government statistics, while a home in second-place Harrogate will set you back around £278,000.

In Shropshire's happiest town, however, the average house price in Newport was £240,000. 

Furniturebox also pointed to the town's collection of popular pubs including The Fox, The New Inn, The Swan and The Shakespeare Inn. 

A spokesperson for The Swan said they were chuffed with the name-drop, and praised Newport for having "a proper community spirit". 

They added: "It's a proper community, everyone turns out for things like the Christmas lights switch-on, everyone always gets involved."

Newport councillor, Peter Scott agreed wholeheartedly: "We have so many events all year round that are supported by thousands of people. The lights switch-on, the carnival, St Georges' day. It's a very celebratory and neighbourly place to live.

"One of the great things about Newport is the number of volunteers we have here who do so much. We have Newport in Bloom who make the town so nice all year round, our litter pickers who take time out to keep the town tidy, the people who volunteer in our charity shops. I don't think other towns have the amount of volunteers that Newport has - and that's very special. 

"I think it's no surprise that Newport is number one - it's always been number one."