'Our friendly town is a wonderful place to live'

Annette Shuttleworth says Padiham has a "wonderful" community spirit

A town in east Lancashire has been named as one of the happiest places to live in Britain.

Padiham was listed as the third happiest place in the North, after the historical cities of York and Durham, by the Guardian newspaper.

It said access to nature, a sense of community and culture on the doorstep were all important features of the market town, as well as a dry sense of humour from the locals.

"It just goes to show that it's absolutely true what we say," Annette Shuttleworth from Jack Jones barbers said. "Come to Padiham, it's wonderful and the people are great."

Viv Storey says Padiham "is such a happy place"

"The best part about Padiham that makes it so wonderful is the community," she said.

"Everybody has a smile on their face, when they walk past you there's always a 'hello'."

"We're just a friendly northern town."

She said businesses "invest so it makes the town look absolutely wonderful".

"So we've got great places for people to eat, to visit, to shop," she added.

Viv Storey from Padiham Hub, a drop-in centre on Burnley Road, agreed.

"Just come in and have a cup of tea and you'll know what it's like to have a laugh," she said.

"This is Padiham, we're funny people, we have so much fun, it's such a happy place.

"And the community always comes together if anyone's in need."

'Absolutely fabulous'

That became apparent where the town flooded when the River Calder burst its banks in 2020, affecting thousands of homes and businesses.

Padiham had previously been hit by Storm Desmond five years earlier.

"It was horrific being in the middle of the floods at the time," Ms Shuttleworth said.

"It was sad and people's businesses and homes were damaged.

"However the community absolutely came together, people were doing sandwiches, bringing coffees down, coming from all walks of the area to help and that just speaks volumes.

"There were dozens of people in my shop helping us clear out.

"They were absolutely fabulous - and that's why Padiham is what it is today, because of the people."

Padiham

Padiham was originally a rural village lying by the River Calder

Padiham, Lancashire, is about three miles (5 km) west of Burnley and south of Pendle Hill.

It is part of the Borough of Burnley, but has its own town council with varied powers.

Padiham was originally a rural village lying by the River Calder.

It is still surrounded by countryside on an arc running from the north-west to the north-east in the foothills of Pendle Hill.

Source: Padiham Town Council