Hertfordshire is the best place to raise a family in the UK, while East and North Ayrshire are the worst, according to a survey.

Good pay and weather, top GCSE grades, fast broadband and access to GP surgeries helped put Hertfordshire at the top of an index of 138 local authorities based on 33 aspects important to family life.

Hertfordshire boasts the third highest employment rate in England with 81 per cent of residents aged 16 to 64 in work and an average annual salary of £33,435, while 64 per cent of pupils achieve five or more A* to C grades at GCSE.

East and North Ayrshire suffered the poorest ranking owing to higher crime, lower exam results and lower pay, according to the uSwitch Better Family Life Index.