A SURVEY has named the borough as Britain's fourth best county for quality of life.

The Halifax report said Bromley was the best borough in London for quality of life.

Nationally, it finished behind Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Berkshire.

Bromley Council environment and leisure portfolio holder Councillor Colin Smith said: "We are naturally all pleased to have the news Bromley is a great place to live confirmed, whether it's around health, housing, education or the urban environment.

"We have all got our little moans from time to time, but this puts it all into perspective and shows Bromley is just about as good as it gets anywhere."

The report looked at criteria such as employment rates, housing occupancy levels and urban environment.

Health, life expectancy, education and weather were also taken into account.

Bromley MP Bob Neill said: "As a Bromley resident, I can see why we are so highly rated.

"Life is good here as we have the best of both worlds.

"We are close to London and enjoy all the economic benefits this offers, but far enough away to enjoy more green space and a better quality of urban environment."

Bromley improved on another Halifax survey from June last year, in which it was top in London but only 69th nationally.

The two reports compared quality of life with average house prices in each county.

Bromley's improvement in the standard of living tables is reflected in a rise in house prices, from £321,886 last June to £346,413 in December.

While house prices are above the national average, they are below the London average.

Halifax chief economist Martin Ellis said: "Half the counties in the top 30 have average house prices which are below the regional average.

"These counties provide the potential for good value with a combination of relatively low prices and high quality of life."

London boroughs were classed as counties for the survey.