WEST Devon is one of the best places to live in the county, say local residents.

In the Government's first ever national Place Survey, more than 90% of West Devon residents said they were satisfied with their local area as a place to live.

More people in West Devon than in any other district in the county were happy with their parks and open spaces and the borough received a positive endorsement from residents for giving value for money.

Around 3,000 West Devon households were asked questions about their local community, the public services they receive, their views on their councils, and how engaged they feel in decisions affecting their lives.

The headline findings of the survey were:

l Almost 90% are satisfied with their refuse collections

l 78% are happy with their parks and open spaces — the top in Devon

l Just over 80% were satisfied with their doorstep recycling

l Almost 60% said they were satisfied with the way their council runs things — second in Devon

l 94% of the over 65s surveyed said they were satisfied with the place where they live

l 86% said they felt they were treated with respect and consideration by others.

Fewer than one in five felt that West Devon had a problem with drink, drugs and rowdy behaviour. However, only 42% of people said they were happy with local bus services.

Cllr James McInnes, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: 'The council aims to work even harder to ensure that everyone in West Devon enjoys a good quality of life, whether they live, work or visit our borough.'