THOSE looking for happiness should forget dreaming of life in the French Riviera and move to Cumbernauld.

According to a study out today, the North Lanarkshire town is the most cheerful place in the West of Scotland, alongside Kilsyth and Airdrie.

Researchers say the area is the fourth happiest in the whole of Britain, behind Powys in Wales, Manchester, and West Lothian.

Cunninghame in Ayrshire and Falkirk also found places in the top 10, which features four Scots entries.

And it seems west really is best, as Edinburgh was revealed as the most miserable place in Britain.

However, it wasn't the only Scottish location that apparently needs to cheer up. Clydesdale, Cumnock and Doon Valley, and Kyle and Carrick came in at number four on the misery list.

The map was drawn up using responses from the British Household Panel Survey, which quizzed 5000 UK people on lifestyle and wellbeing.

Factors such as employment, health and educational qualifications are also taken into consideration.

Researchers from the Universities of Sheffield and Manchester compiled the statistics.