ELLESMERE Port has been ranked in the top 10 of a survey of the UK’s most depressing towns. 

It comes following an online poll over recent weeks by iLiveHere.co.uk in which website visitors could vote for towns they believe to be "bland, boring, soulless and uncultured".

Ellesmere Port was shortlisted for the poll last month.

Now, the results have been published, with Ellesmere Port being ranked 7th most depressing town in the UK.

Its listing reads: “Ellesmere Port is home to Cheshire Oaks, the largest discount shopping village of its type in the country” – Visit Cheshire.

"If that doesn’t make you think the town is the equivalent of sitting in a tepid bath with a plugged-in radio teetering on the edge of the tub, then we don’t know what will".

Falmouth in Cornwall was ranked the worst, followed by Peterborough and Aberdeen.

The poll reads: “This year we have done something a little different. We wanted to highlight those towns that sap residents' will to live.

“Bland, boring, soulless, uncultured middle-England municipalities of mediocrity that imbue the inhabitants with an almost terminal case of ennui and you delivered.

“The top 20 most depressing towns in Britain, as voted for by you, is here and were the results a shock.

“They say it’s grim up north, but given the results of this poll, it’s dull down south, in particular, in Devon."

According to the site, a day out in Ellesmere Port does not sound particularly appealing.

It reads: "Try going under the flyover and take a romantic stroll along the allegedly heavily polluted Manchester ship canal and take in some of that lovely chemical rich air, dead seabirds and motorway carbon monoxide, before visiting the national award winning Boat and Heritage Museum."

Other locations in the top 20 include Basingstoke, Widnes, Croydon and Luton.