HITCHIN has been voted as one of the best towns to live in the country, it was revealed today (Wednesday).

According to The Times’ Best Places To Live, the town is in the top 30 in the UK.

Listed ninth in the guide, which also includes towns in Cornwall, the Cotswolds and Kent, the town is described as being popular with commuters.

The guide adds: “It tends to be overshadowed by St Albans but Hitchin has a lot going for it.

“It may not be as boutiquey but it does have a pretty town centre with an affluent feel.

“There are excellent single-sex schools, state and private, and property is a fifth cheaper than St Albans. Plenty of pubs and restaurants and the Chiltern Hills are close by.”

Town centre manager Keith Hoskins praised the town, and said he had been spreading the word about the article.

“We’ve had emails and phone calls and texts, the place has been abuzz this morning,” he told the Comet.

“I think it’s the sort of thing we should photocopy and stick up in estate agents.

“I’m delighted, it’s a feather in the town’s cap.”