A ‘WELLBEING survey’ has rated happiness, life satisfaction and anxiety levels across the entire country.

And in East Lancashire it seems being happy is on the rise from figures recorded four years ago.

The survey has caused controversy as it has been reported the people of Chorley were the unhappiest in the UK.

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Various media outlets reported the fact but a look at the figures seem to disprove that analysis.

They show a rating of 7.46 out of 10 in 2015/16, which is neither near the top or the bottom of the scale.

A large sample of people aged over 16 answered the Office of National Statistics’ annual population survey and were asked questions, rating their answers on a scale between zero (not at all) and 10 (completely).

The happiest area was Rossendale with a average rating of 7.90, up from 7.36 in 2012.

They were followed by Pendle (7.83), Blackburn with Darwen (7.43), Hyndburn (7.27) and Ribble Valley (7.22).

Burnley was deemed the least happy with an average rating of 7.07 and was the only place in East Lancashire where levels had declined in the last four years.

The figures also show those living in rural areas feel most satisfied with life while those in London report the highest levels of anxiety.

David Bradbury, from the ONS, said: “We think the reference to Chorley ultimately derives from some copy produced yesterday, for which some of the media did a lot of their own calculation but got a lot wrong.”

Chorley Council also took the assertion to task.

A spokesman said: “We’ve looked at the figures and the interactive tools that the ONS have provided and cannot see where it’s come from that Chorley folk are the most unhappy.

“We’ve got lots to be proud of here with wonderful parks, shops and markets and on the map the ONS have published seems to show Chorley as one of the happiest places in the North West.”

ONS statistician Dawn Snape said: “We have seen personal well-being improving on a UK-wide basis over the past five years.

“But today’s data paints a richer picture, enabling people to explore what’s been happening in their local area. This will help individuals, communities and local authorities to look at well-being locally alongside other traditional measures of progress.”