Everybody needs good neighbours and Bradford has the best of the bunch, according to a survey published today.

The study, by Lloyds TSB insurance, ranks Britain’s biggest cities on five measures of neighbourliness – tolerance, consideration, friendliness, tidiness and vigilance.

Bradfordians ranked their neighbours as the most considerate, marking them on average 8.22 out of ten and the most tolerant, marking them 8.3 out of ten on that measure.

Audrey and John Craven, of Swain House, Bradford, were named the city’s Best Neighbours at last year’s Telegraph & Argus awards.

The couple regularly help their neighbours with gardening, shopping and cooking and last year helped save the life of a young boy who had begun to choke.

Mr Craven said he agreed with the study’s findings and said his neighbours were “champion”.

He said Bradfordians had learned to be tolerant waiting for the Westfield development to be built on the Broadway site.

“We have to be tolerant, judging by the state of the city centre,” he joked.

The survey showed nearly half of Neighbourhood Watch scheme members enjoy good community relations, compared to under a third of non-members.

Howard Buckley, divisional Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Bradford South, said: “The people I have met through neighbourhood watch certainly confirm that finding.

“Neighbourhood watch is all about neighbourliness, community cohesion, and support, and it is a concept that’s based upon all those qualities of which there were plenty in Bradford.

“The neighbourhood watch concept is well received throughout Bradford.”

David Stoddard, Customer Service Director at Lloyds TSB Insurance said: “Good neighbours can have an invaluable impact on our wellbeing and can help keep our property safe while away from home.”

Anyone who wants more information about Neighbourhood Watch is asked to phone (01274) 376228.

WHAT FRIENDLY STREET PEOPLE THINK

It’s sound round here. Eighty per cent of the time they’re alright. In this part of Bradford it is tolerant. I like living here. Eren Macar, 21, of Thornton Road, near Friendly Street.

It’s nice and friendly and the neighbours talk to you. I help my neighbours cross the road. I love it here. I’ve just moved in and it’s really friendly. James Maloney, 51.

This street is friendly. We take in parcels for people and look after each other’s cats. I’m from the south and Bradford is much more neighbourly. Wendy Appleton, 71.