A borough town is deserving of its title of one of the best places to live in the North West, locals have said.

Prestwich is one of six places in the North West to be named in The Sunday Times' Best Places to Live 2024 guide.

It was one of two locations in Greater Manchester to make the list, including Stockport, which was named the overall best place to live in the region.

The rating boost comes as major £100m plus plans to reshape the centre of the town, including regenerating the Longfield Centre, move forward.

Bury Times: The Longfield CentreThe Longfield Centre (Image: Jessica Rothwell)

Manager at Village Greens community Co-op, which is based at the centre, Chris Williams, 43, agrees that the town is deserving of the status.

He said: “I think it’s a great place to live, I live here myself.

"We moved her because we had a small child and we wanted open space, so for us, as a growing family, it's perfect.

“You’ve got The Clough, Heaton Park and Phillips Park, we’re surrounded by greenery and there’s lots of new restaurants and this place [Village Greens].

“I didn’t work here when we moved here but it was one of the reasons we moved, another tick on the list for Prestwich.

“I can go on a million walks, just from my doorstep and that’s my favourite thing.”

Bury Times: The Longfield CentreThe Longfield Centre (Image: Jessica Rothwell)

A customer at Village Greens, Paul, 44, said that he loves the people in Prestwich as “they’re all so friendly.”

He added residents should be proud to have been named in the list.

Bury South MP Christian Wakeford said he “isn’t surprised Prestwich is one of the best places to live, much like across the whole Bury South constituency".

He said some of his favourite things about Prestwich include “the people and the community religious groups who foster such togetherness in the town.

He added: “The way the town comes together for Prestwich Pride and the beautiful green parks we have such as Prestwich Clough, Heaton Park and St Mary's Park.”

Bury Times: Heaton ParkHeaton Park (Image: Newsquest)

The Sunday Times’ expert judges visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street.

Sedgley Cllr Alan Quinn said: “I think it just confirms what all of us have been saying, that Prestwich is on the up.

“We have the regeneration project coming soon and some great businesses.

Bury Times: A vision of how Prestwich town centre could look under the plansA vision of how Prestwich town centre could look under the plans (Image: Muse)

"I think it has to be one of the best places to eat in the North West, with places like Remal, The Goods In, Maccas Bar and Grill, there’s a great selection.

“We’re not without problems, but there is definitely a lot going for us.

“The community is my favourite. You really see it on the days like carnival day and Clough Day. 

Bury Times: Prestwich Clough Day last yearPrestwich Clough Day last year (Image: Newsquest)

"When it's good weather you’ll have 20,000-30,000 people out and then they’ll spend the day at the carnival and go on to the local restaurants, it’s great.

“And the businesses get involved in the community too, I was in Macca’s on Tuesday and they had a sign up saying ‘races trip: full’ and I thought 'Wow!'

"How amazing is it that they’re organising that?!”

Cllr Quinn added: “We’d love for all our business spots to be completely full, but there is a cost of living crisis.

"But we’re still doing well, and we’ll crack on with the regeneration and we’ll be better than ever.”