A new report has ranked Cheshire West and Chester as the sixth easiest place for children to grown up in England.

Carried out by Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner for England, the report considers 162 metrics and factors such as health, care, community, schools, family and jobs.

Named sixth easiest place to grow up nationally, the report also highlighted the area as a notable exception to the wider north/south divide identified through its analysis.

It follows behind Cheshire East, which scored the highest for the least challenging place for children to grow up in England.

The report analysed 96 measures affecting children in each local authority, gave each area an overall score, and then ranked areas by their total rating out of 960.

It looked at education, crime, NHS waiting lists for physical and mental health, social care, housing, access to activities, safety, poverty, and more.

Councillor Adam Langan said: "This is really encouraging recognition of how children and young people are faring in Cheshire West and Chester.

"There are many different factors behind these findings, and they reflect the contribution of schools, health services, council colleagues, voluntary and community organisations, families and many others who work hard to support children and young people across our borough.

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"We are proud of the progress being made, but we also know that experiences and outcomes are not the same for every child.

"We will continue working with our partners and communities to tackle inequalities and make sure every child and young person has the opportunity to thrive."

The 10 hardest places to grow up in England were found to be Middlesbrough, Hounslow in west London, Bradford, Nottingham, Halton, Peterborough, Leicester, Liverpool, Sunderland, and Medway.

You can read the full Childhood Lottery Report here.