A POWYS town has been named as the best place to live in Wales by the Sunday Times newspaper.

Ten locations in Wales have been named among the Best Places to Live in Britain by The Sunday Times with the guide naming Crickhowell as the Best Place to Live in Wales.

The only other Powys town to make the list is Montgomery in the far north of the county.

The accolade comes ahead of the full reveal of The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, including the overall winner, which is published on Sunday, April 14. The supplement assesses a wide range of factors, from employment, schools and broadband speed to culture, community spirit and local shops, in order to compile the definitive top locations to live.

Crickhowell’s thriving high street was named as Britain’s best last year, one reason why the town has been chosen as The Sunday Times Best Places to Live in Wales.

The pride displayed in the town and the actions of residents, who formed a cooperative to protect the high street’s independent shops from supermarket chains and who hosting Prince Charles to open a zero-waste store, have also been cited as reasons why Crick’ is one of the best places to live.

Judges were also impressed with the towns beauty - they say its known as ‘the glittering jewel in the vale’ - and the stunning scenery of the Brecon Beacons on the doorstep.

The Sunday Times says its uses robust statistics, including exclusive, up to date house prices provided by Habito and TwentyCi, but also the knowledge of The Sunday Times’s expert panel in compiling its guid. The judges combine the hard data with their own on-the-ground experience and insight to ensure the chosen locations are "places where everyone can thrive".

According to the guide average house price for a starter home in Crickhowell is £60,000 moving to £85,598 for a mid-market property while the average top of the range price is £412,322.

Locations in south Wales dominate this year’s selection, thanks to new entries Chepstow and Carmarthen, featured for the first time. Heading further west, 2018’s Welsh winner Mumbles, close to Swansea retains its place along with St David’s, Britain’s smallest city.

North Wales is represented by a new entry – the west-coast fishing village of Aberdyfi where two-bedroom Victorian fisherman’s cottages off the seafront start at what the paper calls an "affordable £200,000". Further north, the seaside resort of Abersoch appears again. It is popular among holidaymakers and beach huts change hands for as much as £140,000. Away from the tourist throng, three-bedroom bungalows start at £400,000.

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live in Britain covers the North and Northeast, Midlands, Northern Ireland, Southeast, Wales, Southwest, East, London, Scotland and the Northwest. It also reveals the overall best place to live in the UK.

Helen Davies, The Sunday Times Home editor said: "This year we were looking for community spirit along with convenience and culture. There is so much going on around the country, and so many great places that the choice was a hard one."

The full list will be available from Sunday, April 14 at thesundaytimes.co.uk/bestplacestolive