SALFORD is renowned for its tough, no-nonsense reputation, but now it has been named one of the "softest" places in Britain.

The city's delicate folk are among the first to switch on the central heating, according to a survey, even when the winter chill has not yet arrived.

Salford come second in the "softest league" behind the slightly more refined Dulwich in south London and is not as tough as the genteel London suburbs of Harrow and Mill Hill and Gwent in Wales.

The table is based on information gathered by heating engineers who have kept records of the areas where many residents are reaching for the radiator controls despite outside temperatures hovering above a reasonable 15C.

Baffling

The fact that Salford residents are quick to turn up the heating is made all the more baffling by the fact that all the towns and cities regarded as having the hardiest residents are in the Midlands or further north, with Kirkcaldy in Scotland, coming out on top.

Statistics provided by the Met Office in Manchester show that Salford is one of Greater Manchester's warmest boroughs with this month's average low temperature 9.5C compared to Oldham's average low, which is currently 7.5C.

Salford's new reputation may have something to do with many "outsiders" moving to new homes in Salford Quays.

John Jessup from British Gas who compiled the survey, said: "Northerners always accuse southerners as soft - largely based on unsubstantiated perceptions, generating from the old-fashioned view that life's grim up north and the rich live in luxury in the south."

Coun John Merry, leader of the Salford council, said: "I cannot think of anything else we have in common with softie places like Dulwich and Harrow."

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