The Royal Geographical Society survey, which covers all 273 areas of Britain, asked people about how they felt about their lives, rather than looking at traditional measures such as income and crime.

Welsh book town Hay-on-Wye and Manchester topped the table of Britain's happiest places, while at the bottom were the Welsh areas of Merthyr Tydfil, the Cynon Valley and Rhondda.

Northampton Borough Council leader, Councillor Tony Woods (Lib Dem, St David), said: "My sense is Northampton is a good place and a reasonably contented place.

"I think the fact we're in the top 25 per cent is good.

"I think Northampton people are very willing to tell you what they could like to see, but I think if you explain what you're trying to do and what it might take, they accept that."

Northampton personalities said the town made them more happy than anywhere else.

John Percival, who contested the Northampton South constituency for the Monster Raving Loony Party, said: "I can't understand why we're that far behind.

"In Blisworth, we've got a very happy community spirit. The more friends you've got the happier you are."

He said not only was there picturesque countryside in Northamptonshire, the town was well connected.

Mr Percival added: "If I thought I'd be happier anywhere else, I'd have gone there."

Northampton's own Fat Controller and occasional stand-in Father Christmas, John Gardner, said the town had good facilities, better than those in neighbouring Wellingborough, which ranked 13th.

He said: "I think we're far more up the league than that. You meet some lovely happy people here."

But Miriam Cox, of Wollaston, said the attitude of some Northamptonians had made her "peeved".

The laughter therapist said: "A friend of mine recently collapsed in Northampton and not only did no-one help her, someone nicked her bag."

People who took part in the survey were asked whether they lost sleep over worry, felt under strain or had been thinking of themselves as worthless.