READERS have reacted to a survey which has placed Oldham as the 13th “worst place to live” in the country.

iLiveHere has published its Top 50 Worst Places to Live in England 2022 and the borough has made it onto the unwanted list, complete with highly critical and unfounded claims about the town and its people.

A “review” of Oldham on the website’s is mostly unprintable due to the abusive language and unproven claims mentioned.

It states: “Oldham was the richest town in the world at the height of the Industrial Revolution and even had a ‘cool period’ in the late 80s/early 90s with the local football club installed as one of the founders of the Premier League and the Inspiral Carpets belting out on the back of Madchester.”

This brief bit of recent history is then backed up with a wall of abuse against the borough with a series of unfounded accusations made.

The website said 110,172 of its readers voted in the latest poll, with the results widely shared online.

On social media, many joked that they think Oldham should have been ranked higher on the list with some saying that the town was a much better place to live in decades gone by.

One resident said: “(Oldham) used to be one of the best places for pubs and clubs. We need more decent bars and clubs and restaurants.

Another added: “(The) only surprise is it’s not higher. It used to be a good place, great market, great pubs now unless you want a take away there’s not much else.

A third said: "It's a poor place to live, poor job opportunities (and) poor housing.

"What the next generation is going do is beyond me."

But there was some who spoke out in defence of the borough.

One said: "Just out of curiosity, for all the people who think Oldham is terrible, have you lived elsewhere? What do you base your judgements on?

"I moved away from Oldham in 2003 and lived away for 10 years in an area with frequent drive-by shootings, muggings and burglaries. Nobody helped their neighbours or even gave them the time of day. I couldn’t wait to move back, and have been back nine years.

"I have a family and friends network, my kids attend local schools and I work in the town. I shop (happily) in town at the weekend with my kids.

"Yes the town has changed but so have lifestyles and people's expectations."

A second added: “We have some beautiful places and some nice people.”