THE quality of life for girls in Wokingham is among the best across England and Wales, according to a new report which places the borough in its top ten locations.

Following a study by Plan International UK and the University of Hull, which used five criteria: GCSE results, teenage conception rates, childhood poverty, life expectancy, and percentage of girls aged under 18 not in employment, education or training, the area was recognised as the eighth best.

The number one spot was given to Waverley in Surrey, followed by Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire, the Chiltern district in Buckinghamshire, Mole Valley and Epsom and Ewell in Surrey.

Rutland came in sixth with Elmbridge in Surrey in seventh, followed by St Albans and East Hertfordshire.

The study revealed inner city areas were the worst places to grow up as a girl.

At the other end of the scale, Middlesbrough came out as the worst place to be a young female, with Blackpool and Manchester in second and third place.

Lucy Russell, the UK girls’ rights campaign manager for Plan International UK and lead author of the report, said: "It’s clear that despite being one of the richest, most developed countries in the world, girls don’t have equal rights and equal life chances across the UK."

Deputy executive member for children's services at Wokingham Borough Council, Richard Dolinski, said: "I'm not surprised with Wokingham being the eighth best place to be a girl in England and Wales.

"We have good schools with inspirational teachers who fully support the girls in realising their aspirations. We have a dedicated team of social workers who together with our youth services provide a coherent network of support, both statutory and voluntary.

"Also, our local health trusts perform above the national average and are accessible. Our employment opportunities are diverse and without doubt appealing; would also explain why so many people choose to come and live in Wokingham borough.

"Finally, and probably the most important are the families and cares who in the vast majority want and demand, and rightly so, the best for their children."