I've just had a look at the 10 best and 10 worst places to live in Britain, and I'm disappointed to see Middlesbrough at 5th worst! I now live close to Middlesbrough and I really like it in the North East; in fact I like it so much that I'm staying here to do my PhD now that I'v finished my degree - I could quite easily move to Durham if I wanted to but I don't! Ok, there are areas that aren't too friendly, but there isn't a city in the country where this isn't the case! I worked in the heart of Middlesbrough for two years whilst I finished my degree and the people there were lovely! I will admit the chemical plant isn't the most beautiful of structures, and does lead to the nickname 'Smoggies', but it doesn't smell as is claimed on the website! You may catch a whiff crossing the Tees flyover (A19), but its certainly not as bad as the rapeseed fields that you often find along motorways! And, as the site tells us, Middlesbrough is the birthplace of Royston Vasey (Roy 'Chubby' Brown) - but lists this as a bad thing! Well, each to their own, but I think that's mean and very unnecessary - I think he's really funny, and I'm not originally from the North East!

Ohh look, I've had a rant!! And it's only taken me a fortnight! I said something would annoy me enough sooner or later didn't I?! :))

Cheryl
xx