A COUNCIL has hit back at claims that a Sussex city is one of the worst places to live in the country.

Chichester District Council said the city had "much" to offer and was an "excellent" place to live.

It comes as the city was ranked the 47th worst place in a new survey by the satirical website I Live Here, after a record-breaking 125,681 people voted.

A spokesman for the council said: "We, along with many of our residents and partners believe that Chichester, and the district as a whole has much to offer making it an excellent place to live.

READ MORE >> Chichester named one of the worst places to live in England

"We have several outstanding cultural assets including the internationally renowned Chichester Festival Theatre, the acclaimed Pallant House Gallery, the award-winning Novium Museum, one of the UK’s largest planetaria and a specialist film centre as well as the Cathedral and other local historic and cultural attractions.

"As well as our historic and attractive city centre, residents can enjoy spacious open parks or visit stunning countryside nearby.

"We have a beautiful coastline and an award winning beach, as well as the internationally recognised Chichester Harbour - which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - plus the RSPB-run Pagham Harbour and Medmerry nature reserves.

"Two thirds of our district is situated within the South Downs National Park and our district is one of the safest places to live in the country.

"We also welcome many visitors to the district each year who return on a regular basis to enjoy everything that our area has to offer.

"Most importantly though, we have a warm and welcoming community, which has been highly evident during the challenges of the previous year, with everyone coming together to help each other during the pandemic.”

According to I Live Here, Chichester is a city with "delusions of grandeur."

It read: "It wants to be Bath, Oxford or Winchester.

"It cannot hope to match the cultural significance of these, or the affluence of the towns and cities such as Petersfield, Haslemere and Guildford with their direct commuter routes to London.

"It has a large student population but cannot match the vibe and pull of Brighton, lacking any nightclubs due to the puritans and busybodies who curb any such fun."

For the third year running, Peterborough was voted the worst place to live in the country.