COMMUNITY leaders last night rounded on a survey which claimed Bradford is the worst place to live in the UK.

The district came bottom of the UK Quality of Life Index, which considered factors such as disposable income, weekly rent, employment rate, life expectancy and school exam results.

But the results also coincided with the news that Saltaire has been chosen as a finalist in a competition to find England's Greatest Place.

The UNESCO World Heritage site is one of ten finalists whittled down from 200 entries in the contest, which is run by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

The survey that named Bradford as the worst place to live was compiled by price comparison service uSwitch.com. It considered 26 factors before placing Bradford 138th in its list, just behind second-worst, Hull.

Bradford fared badly in disposable income, price of weekly rent, number of new car registrations, and education. It did well in categories such as low petrol prices, price of weekly food bill, low Council Tax rates, and low house prices.

According to the study, people in Bradford have among the lowest gross disposable household incomes of £13,654 a year, yet pay one of the highest average weekly rents of £92.60. It says the area suffers from crowded primary schools and that 44 per cent of pupils achieve five GCSEs at A-C grades, at Key Stage 4.

Jane Vincent, who help set up a Positive Bradford Day in 2011, said: "I think it is a load of rubbish. It is once again some poxy company picking on Bradford. There are much worse places in the UK than Bradford.

"They are giving us a good kick when we don't deserve it."

Mrs Vincent pointed to areas of promise in Bradford such as North Parade, which is in the final three of the Government's Great British High Street competition, and added: "I live in Bradford, I have a business in Bradford, and I am proud of being from Bradford."

Bradford Council leader, Councillor David Green, described the survey as "farcical", adding: "A company whose main business is to get people to switch their energy provider is suddenly doing socio-political and economic analysis?

"I would question any survey that comes out of an organisation that has not been set up to do these sort of surveys. I don't know why they have done it."

He added: "No-one has ever denied that Bradford has challenges, but other surveys that have come out have said that Bradford is one of the best places to live.

"My job and the job of the Council and other councillors is to meet the challenges and move the district forward."

Cllr Simon Cooke, leader of the Conservative group on the Council, said: "They obviously haven't been here.

"These kind of exercises from companies that want to promote their brand would be better off doing it by not offending large parts of the country.

"There are half a million people living in Bradford, and while it is not the best place in the world, it is not that bad. I live in Bradford and it is fine."

Saltaire will be up against places like Bath, Bristol and Letchworth Garden City for the Greatest Places award.

Vanessa Pilny, chairman of Saltaire Village Society, said: "It is fantastic and I would say it is well-deserved. It is a fantastic place to live, it is a vibrant community with lots of history and lots of interesting things in the present as well."

Janet Askew, president of RTPI, said: "Saltaire was a popular choice and is clearly a much appreciated and loved place by local people."

The public can vote for Saltaire up to November 20 by visiting rtpi.org.uk or on Twitter and Instagram with #RTPIgreatplaces.