SALE is one of the most desirable places to live in England, research has revealed.

A study, undertaken by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) and Royal Mail, revealed that the M33 postcode is the fourth most desirable in the country.

The results were based on a range of factors including good schools, access to green spaces, good employment prospects, working hours, affordable housing and average commuting times.

Areas around large northern cities and along the south coast in England were shown to offer the best work-life balance.

Bebington, in the Wirral, topped the list spot, followed by North and North West Norwich, in second place, Broadstone, in Bournemouth, in third place, and then Sale.

Sale is the only postcode in Greater Manchester to make the list.

It was followed by East Cowes, in Isle of Wight, in fifth place, Eastleigh, in Hampshire, ranking sixth, Ipswich, in Suffolk, taking the seventh spot, and Horsforth, in Leeds, placing eight.

The ninth and tenth spots were taken by Dronfield, in North East Derbyshire and Earley, in Reading, respectively. The research was conducted by reviewing a number of data sources at local level, including the 2011 Census, the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Indices of Multiple Deprivation, General Land Use database and numerous releases from the Office for National Statistics.

What do you think of the results? Do you agree? Comment below or email sam.editorial@messengergrp.co.uk.