IT'S official! Galashiels is the happiest place to live in Scotland.

More than 22,000 people responded to Rightmove's happy at home index survey.

They were asked questions such as the extent to which they feel a sense of community spirit, feel safe, earn enough to live comfortably and whether locals are friendly and polite.

They were also asked about local amenities such as sports facilities, arts and culture, shops, restaurants, doctors' surgeries, schools and green spaces.

And Gala came out at number 11 in Britain – making it the highest ranked Scottish town.

Rightmove's insights expert Lydia Yao said: "This just goes to show that people place enormous value on living somewhere that they're proud to call home.

"Our results also show that having friendly neighbours and being able to be yourself remain hugely important factors when measuring the happiest places to live in Great Britain."

The Northumberland market town of Hexham was crowned the overall happiest place to live in Britain.

Here are the top 10 happiest places to live in the UK, according to Rightmove, with the average asking price on a home followed by the average monthly asking rent for a two-bedroom property:

1. Hexham, North East, £254,237, £605

2. Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber, £341,524, £776

3. Richmond-upon-Thames, London, £815,717, £1,723

4. Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber, £233,274, £622

5. Llandrindod Wells, Wales, £145,016, £478

6. Altrincham, North West, £520,899, £915

7. Monmouth, Wales, £310,050, £665

8. Dorchester, South West, £295,124, £799

9. Sevenoaks, South East, £684,806, £1,241

10. Southport, North West, £209,360, £609