Wiltshire has been voted one of the top 10 counties in England.

The county is rated as ninth equal with Norfolk and Warwickshire in a survey just published by Country Life Magazine.

Wiltshire was among 36 counties assessed by the magazine.

The judges took a variety of factors into account, including everything from the number of birds and other wildlife to the frequency and efficiency of refuse collection.

Each county was then awarded a score out of a possible 100 points.

Wiltshire scored a total of 54, while neighbouring county Gloucester-shire tied with Cornwall for second place on 64 points. The two were beaten only by Devon, which the judges decided merited 72 points.

At the opposite end of the table are Staffordshire and Hertfordshire, which scored 30 points each.

Wiltshire is home to many historic attractions, including Stone-henge and the ancient stone circle at Avebury, as well as nature reserves, downland and woodland.

It also has a range of modern attractions, such as Swindon's multi award-winning Steam museum.