Is this the worst town in Britain? People at Channel 4 certainly seem to think so, as they used the photo above to illustrate a story on the C4 news site, which states that Middlesbrough–home of the Parmo, sweary Tin Tin, the transporter bridge, Wilf Manion, the great Brian Clough and observer of the Transit of Venus, Jim Cook–’tops [their] worst town poll’. There’s a slight problem though. The photo is of a street in Stockton, which did not make the 20 ‘worst’ towns–looks good though doesn’t it? Aye, it’s all grim oop North, where there are no apple-cheeked blonde children frolicking on the village green while their parents sip latte-cinos.

Anyone for a ride on my giant electric pig? Calls cost £1.00 per minute; calls from mobiles and some networks may be higher.

Thanks: SP

Update: The Lonely Planet Bluelist has named the North-East as one of the World’s top 30 holiday spots:

[T]he North- East is the ‘most exciting, beautiful and friendly region in the whole of England’.

The guide states: ‘The regeneration of this once depressed – and depressing – area has been most obvious in the regional capital, Newcastle, and its Tyneside neighbour, Gateshead.’

Visitors are also in for a treat from the rugged scenery but those who hunger for more ‘contemporary attractions’ should ‘check out the new art gallery in Middlesbrough or the renovated quayside in Hartlepool’, it says.

Middlesbrough was named as the worst place to live in Britain in a survey for Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location earlier this week.

Hartlepool came in at No.20 on the blacklist based on crime rates, drug and health problems, standards of education and environment.