Rochdale named as unfriendly town

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Rochdale Town Centre

Rochdale is one of the most unfriendly towns in the North West, according to a new survey.

The survey of 1,000 people in nine towns and cities across the North West shows that in some areas one in five people are unable to name even one of their neighbours.

Carlisle and St Helens are shown as the friendliest places to live with 88 per cent and 78 per cent of residents polled knowing four or more neighbours personally, while residents of Rochdale (20 per cent) and Salford (17 per cent) indicating that they know far fewer than any other region.

Over half of all respondents have had a neighbour do an unprompted favour such as cut their lawn and 17 per cent of residents have babysat for their neighbours - and neighbouring town Oldham is leading the way with 50 per cent. 

The survey was commissioned as part of a drive to get communities to take part in the nationwide Big Lunch this Sunday (5 June). 

Now in its third year, thousands of neighbourhoods across the UK have held Big Lunches as a catalyst to improve relationships, build friendships and bring communities together.