CHRISTCHURCH is the least deprived large seaside town in the country, a study has found.

The Office for National Statistics based their findings on population sizes and considered data on health, housing and employment from 2010.

The three most deprived destinations were Blackpool, Skegness and Clacton.

Poole also bucked the trend locally as one of the towns with lower than average levels of complete deprivation.

Ray Nottage, leader of Christchurch Borough Council, said: “Whilst Christchurch is a seaside town it is also a mini-economy with a balanced economic structure from service industry to engineering and aerospace.

“It is an excellence place to invest in, not just for holidays or for living, but also for business and expansion.

“Christchurch has so much to offer that people want to come and live here, boosting the local economy. They are attracted here for many reasons, including the fact that it is a very safe place.”