THE Lord Mayor of Bradford and its residents have defended the city after it was named one of the worst places to live in England.

The city has been ranked the fourth worst place to live in a new survey by the satirical website I Live Here, with a total of 125,681 votes cast in the survey.

The online contributors have been far from kind about Bradford, with some quite scathing comments left on the page.

The published quotes included: “Bradford, the land of opportunity, if it’s a takeaway or a pound shop you dream of opening.”

Meanwhile, Keighley, which was voted as the seventh worst place to live in the 2020 version of the survey, has fallen to 12th place in this year’s rankings.

Bradford is the only Bradford district town listed in the top 10. The closest others were Halifax (which came 10th), Wakefield, which was sixth and Huddersfield, which finished second.

The birthplace of artists David Hockney, Bradford has a number of claims to fame including being named the world's first City of Film and is in the running to be named as the UK's 2025 City of Culture.

It also has popular sites including Lister Park, City Park, the National Science and Media Museum.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Doreen Lee, has defended the city and dismissed the survey, also praising how welcoming Bradford is.

She said: "Bradford has got the most diverse and friendly community of anywhere else in the country.

"Anybody who comes to Bradford is made welcome and made to feel a part of the community.

"It is a lovely part of the world to live. We are unique.

"This survey is absolute nonsense. I would tell the people who voted for Bradford to come around with me on my visits."

"Bradford has a lot to offer. Whoever voted in this, clearly does not live here. They have probably not even bothered to visit Bradford.

"What a wonderful place to live. Bradford wants to become the City of Culture 2025. In my eyes to it already the City of Culture."

The Lord Mayor also praised Bradford for its community spirit shown during the pandemic.

She added: "The one thing that has stood out is the community spirit.

"We have got to look at Covid and how we have helped each other."

The Lord Mayor also called for more investment in the Bradford district from the government including an investment in new jobs for the area.

As a councillor for Keighley East, she also dismissed Keighley's inclusion in the online list.

Meanwhile, Bradford residents have also defended the city.

Teresa Greenwood posted: “At the end of the day it doesn’t matter where u live home is what u make it and for those with negative comments re bradford let’s see what u all say when our town /city has been given the new makeover that’s ongoing right now making it an even better place for us to live watch this space.”

Lee Roberts: “All places have good and bad points. Try focusing on the good. Cup half full and all that. It's too easy to be negative. I am from Bradford East bowling area. And enjoy coming over.”

Martin Barrett: ”I'm fed up with this kind of article. One time it's Keighley, next it's Wakefield, then it's Bradford. All places that I've lived....Ah. I'll get me coat. 😱 Sophia Khalifa: “According to who? There’s good and bad areas for sure wherever you live.”

Angela Anne Stocks: “What a load of rubbish. Bradford like many northern cities has its problems but it is still lovely just like the people who live there.”

Sharon Kirwan-Doran: “There's good and bad everywhere, I'm Bradford born and bred, and unless I ever get the chance to live by the sea, then I'm not moving, 65 now.”

Naveed Hussain-aslam: “Each to their own. I love bradford and the people here.”

Luke Robinson: “I take pride that I'm from, and live in Bradford. There are worse places, that's for sure.”