Sandwich has been named number two in the top nine market towns in the country.

Based on house prices, the Telegraph has released a list of the most popular market towns to live in the UK and Sandwich was almost top of the list.

It states that the town should be struggling after Pfizer pulled out in 2011 but says it is “made of stern stuff.”

It also claims that although market day is a pale shadow of the days when livestock were herded through the streets, the market shows Sandwich at its friendly best.

Simon Blackhouse of Strutt and Parker in Canterbury said: “All in all, it is a very attractive market town with an enormous array of architecturally diverse properties. Parking is at a premium, so think garage before conservatory.”

The Telegraph claims research has shown that house prices in a market town are £25,000 above the average in the rest of the country.

Also on the list is Malmesbury in Wiltshire at number one and Buckfastleigh in Devon at number three.