TWO towns in Monmouthshire have been named amongst the top ten market towns to live in Wales, according to a survey by Royal Mail.

Usk and Monmouth both scored highly in the survey, with findings based on a number of categories in each country including average earnings, house prices, access to services, crime figures, skill level of the local population and unemployment figures. Data from the 2011 UK Census was also used.

Usk took third place, behind Denbigh and Mold, thanks in particular to good schools and low crime, while Monmouth took seventh.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: “This new study demonstrates the breadth of market towns providing attractive places for people across the UK to live and work in. For people who value a good work-life balance, there are plenty of market towns to choose from.”