North Ayrshire has been ranked as the seventh best local authority to live in Scotland.

A survey from Bellway Homes ranked the area in five key categories which were education health, community, policing and finance. 

Ayrshire ranked highly on the list with all three local authorities making it into the top ten.

The quality of lifestyle is often cited as a reason for moving to the areaThe quality of lifestyle is often cited as a reason for moving to the area (Image: Bellway Homes)

Visitors at Bellway’s Montgomerie Park development in Irvine cite the quality of lifestyle as a key reason for moving to the area

Pauline Coates, Sales Director at Bellway Homes Ltd, said: “Wellbeing and quality of amenities and lifestyle are really important to buyers today when seeking a new location to set up home.

"Good schools, green spaces and leisure facilities all rank highly in people’s tick list now and North Ayrshire is a prime example of that. 

“More and more buyers are looking at locations outwith their existing neighbourhoods to try and combine the right house at the right price in the right environment.”

The development is a 40-minute drive to Glasgow and within walking distance of the beach The development is a 40-minute drive to Glasgow and within walking distance of the beach (Image: Bellway Homes)

The development located off Montgomerie Park Drive is a 40-minute drive to Glasgow and within walking distance of Eglinton Country Park and the beach

It also features a range of houses including mid terrace starter homes, three-bedroom semi and detached properties and four-bedroom detached homes.