DUDLEY has been ranked third on the list of top 10 places to live as a new parent in the UK, according to research.

Hunters Estate Agents reviewed English regions - by county, postcodes, districts (cities/towns) and local authorities - then ranked them on factors including the cost of a home, quality of schools and safety levels to help new parents discover the best places to consider when searching for a home.

Dudley came out as third on the list, beaten only by Huddersfield which was ranked second and Wakefield which topped the list.

The Dudley borough was among the favourites for its high broadband speeds at an average of 76 Mbps and its strong travel links - with 90 per cent of homes being within a 200-metre walk of public transport, providing a good option for new parents who don’t drive or need to commute to work.

Wakefield topped the list for its affordability, with the average sale house price being £172,895 over the last 12 months. As well as strong public transport links for working parents and an average broadband speed of 50 Mbps for those who work from home, the area offers young children a good start to their education with 16 per cent of homes having an Ofsted outstanding school as their nearest primary school.

Huddersfield, which was number two on the list, had similarly good access to public transport and Ofsted outstanding primary schools but a higher average house price of £181,840. It also ranked highly for historical sites, with 2,597 listed buildings in the area.

Stourbridge News: The top 10 places to live as a new parentThe top 10 places to live as a new parent