WOKINGHAM has been officially recognised as one of the best places to live.

The town has previously topped numerous studies and surveys as the most active place, the best place, and ‘best place to bring up children’, over the years.

Now it has made the top 20 in The Sunday Times’ prestigious ‘best places to live in Britain’ list.

Making it in at number 17, Wokingham is described as not “the most exciting metropolis” but ticks all the “middle class boxes”.

Good schools, a low crime rate, plenty of green spaces, and a 50-minute train ride from London Paddington, are all factors which make it desirable.

Clare Dando, 41, moved to Wokingham in 2007 with her husband, Matthew, an IT consultant. Their two children Alex, four, and Michael, five, were born here.

Mrs Dando, who lives in Emmbrook, said: “It’s got a friendly family feel to it, and it’s the right size to have lots to do without being too big. You don’t worry about crime in Wokingham. There’s lots of things for the children to do, lots of parks and it’s really safe. The only thing that’s not good is the traffic!” All schools in Wokingham borough have been rated either good or outstanding by Ofsted, one of only a handful of authorities to boast this.

Tim Griffith, assistant headteacher at the ‘outstanding’ Holt School, said: “The parents of Wokingham are very fortunate to have a number of good schools. "Schools are important to an area, and parents are happy when they’re children are given the best opportunities. I’ve lived in Wokingham most of my life, and I’m not surprised we made the list.” Other Berkshire towns had previously featured in the coveted list, with Ascot making it to number six in the South East last year.

Cllr Martin Bishop, town mayor of Wok-ingham, said: “I think the community spirit is very good. It’s a nice quiet place with countryside nearby. I’m not surprised we have been listed, I’m very pleased to live here.” The list was compiled by looking at data on crime, house prices, life expectancy and local knowledge by its contributors.