RESIDENTS in Swanland believe its location and community spirit are the reasons the village has been named the best commuter location in England and Wales.
The picturesque East Riding village came top spot in the Family Hotspots Report 2014 by Family Investments. It was also number five in the top places to live, up from eight in last year's list.
Geoff Chapman, chairman of Swanland Parish Council, has lived in the village for 20 years.
He said: "It is a village with a very strong community, a lot going on and a lot of facilities.
"It's very close to a big city, with things like rail connections and very close to good road links."
Commenting on the village, the report picked above average key stage two and four (GCSE) results and very low crime rates contributing to Swanland rising up the rankings.
It said: "The active community is centred around the village hall, which hosts a variety of events, from village fairs to dance lessons and concerts for the community.
"The Swanland Preservation Society has been running for more than 25 years and is a dynamic force in keeping the area a pleasant place to live."
The report found the average price of a two-bedroom property in the village is £167,413 and 80 per cent of pupils received five A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and maths.
Geoff Collier, of Swanland Heritage Centre, said: "There is a great community spirit in Swanland.
"Residents have a sense of pride in the village and as an example, last weekend volunteers were knee-deep in the pond clearing it up. It was all done voluntarily."
The best locationsTHE purpose of the Family Hotspots Report is to identify the best locations in the country for families to live.
The research identifies the locations which, according to their analysis, offer the ideal mix of family factors such as high-quality education and affordable childcare, low crime rates, access to amenities and affordable housing.
The reasons for Swanland's success include an exceptional 80 per cent of pupils achieving four GCSEs at A* to C, including maths and English.
There is also a low crime per capita figure at 0.07 – an indication of crime levels taking into account the population density of each location.
Visit familyinvestments.co.uk for details.
• Latest property news for Hull and East Yorkshire
