BRIDPORT has been named the happiest place to live in Britain - with market towns reportedly 'more popular than ever'.

The West Dorset town topped a list in The Times as the happiest town, stating that market towns 'offer the ideal blend of urban bustle and rural charm'.

Town surveyor Daryl Chambers believes the bustling Saturday and Wednesday markets makes the town a 'wonderful experience' and that Bridport market stands head and shoulders above others across the region.

"If you go into Bridport on a Saturday, it really is a wonderful experience and it really gives everyone in the town a lift" he said. "It's no surprise that it makes people happy.

"I work for the market traders association as an ambassador and I can tell you that Bridport is by far the best market in the south west - it stands out by a mile.

"We have an extremely good range of traders, but we also integrate ever so well with the fantastic range of independent shops in the town. It's really about people buying into that positive mindset."

Mr Chambers also believes the market is pivotal in encouraging visitors to turn a trip to the town into a whole day out.

"For the last year or so, we have made a really positive push to promote Bridport market" he said.

"We hosted the National Association of British Market Authorities' roadshow in February and that really helped put us on the map.

"The market is the key to the town. We have set up a market liaison group to ensure that the market is a focal point.

"It plays an important part in keeping people in the town, and making a trip to Bridport a complete day out."

The Times article also highlights the Broadchurch effect, along with the opening of the Seaside Boarding House at Burton Bradstock, which is described as the new 'Groucho-on-Sea'.

Bridport was ranked ahead of Horsham in West Sussex, Wellington in Somerset, Melrose in the Scottish Borders and Saffron Walden in Essex as the happiest place to live in Britain.

The articles reads: "Bridport is a historic former rope-making town and has more than 1,000 listed buildings.

"Four-bedroom family homes in Dorset grew in value by 19 percent in 2014, which was more than in London and the home counties."