Dover is not a 'herpes-infested s***hole' say residents

Dover is not a 'herpes-infested s***hole' say residents

Residents in a town voted England's worst place to live have hit back at a survey claiming it is a 'herpes-infested s***hole'.

Locals living in the seaside town of Dover, Kent, praised the area's heritage but admitted that the area is 'full of drunks' and needs renovation.

It came first in a league table of the worst places to live across the country which also saw towns including Luton, Hull and Scunthorpe branded 'scummy' by their not-so-proud inhabitants.

Coming in at number one, the seaside town of Dover was labelled a 'herpes-infested s***hole' by ashamed residents voting in ILiveHere.co.uk's annual survey. 

But local council worker June House, 48, who has lived in the area all her life, blasted the suggestion as a 'cruel lie' and said: 'We are trying really hard.'

Locals living in the seaside town of Dover, Kent, pictured, praised the area's heritage but admitted that the area is 'full of drunks' and needs renovation

Dover came first in a league table of the worst places to live across the country

The town was described as a 'herpes-infested s***hole' by its not-so-proud inhabitants

Local council worker June House, 48, who has lived in the area all her life, blasted the suggestion as a 'cruel lie' and said: 'We are trying really hard'

Charlie Corrigan, 17, a market stall fruit seller, said: 'I like it because I've always lived here'

She told MailOnline: 'Lots of things have happened. We've had a few disasters such as the ferry crash in 1987 and the fact that there are a lot of vacant shops in the town.

'But I think in all of that we always smile and get on and think that life is going to get better.

She added: 'We're great. we've got the seaside, we've got the castle, we've got the most amazing heritage that you could ever want and it's such a fantastic castle.

'How could you say it's not a great place to live? It is a very pretty town and I think people see all the negatives.

'They see the homeless people who are sleeping by the local shops but it is such a diverse town.

'I think it' s great. How many towns do you see where they've still got a Marks and Spencer in the town centre and a WH Smith?' 

One local in Dover said: 'How many towns do you see where they've still got a Marks and Spencer in the town centre and a WH Smith?' The town's centre is pictured

A row of flowers is pictured in Dover's town centre. It has been voted the worst place to live in England

But Roy McLester, who in his job as a street cleaner sees the worst excesses of Dover, says that the town has 'gone downhill very fast'.

The 59-year-old said: 'The government has reaped all the loose change out of people's pockets so all the pubs are shut now, the shops are shutting, it's the same old story all over I think, apart from London - that's where all the money is.'

He agreed with the survey's assessment of living in Dover and when asked if there is anything good about living in Dover, he said: 'No not really.'

'I've got some people living above me who don't walk across the floor - they stamp across the floor.'

Pensioner Pamela Stuart, 83, who has lived in the town sin ce she was born, added: 'It could be made into a lovely town if they wanted to. It's got so much history. You've got the castle, you know, but the town centre is shocking.

Roy McLester, who in his job as a street cleaner sees the worst excesses of Dover, says that the town has 'gone downhill very fast'

Pensioner Pamela Stuart, 83, who has lived in the town since she was born, said: 'It could be made into a lovely town if they wanted to. It's got so much history. You've got the castle, you know, but the town centre is shocking'

Dave Heath, 36, who was walking through the town centre with his wife Sophie Heath, 31, and son Oscar Heath, 6, said: 'There are really nice seaside resorts then you come here and there's nothing that really draws you to the town'

'We've got good docks, we're the gateway of England - but if only they'd liven the place up a bit so people would visit not go straight from here to Canterbury.'

Dave Heath, 36, who was walking through the town centre with his wife Sophie Heath, 31, and son Oscar Heath, 6, said: 'There are really nice seaside resorts then you come here and there's nothing that really draws you to the town.'

'In the town centre it's awful. There are lots of drunks in the parks and stuff.' 

Charlie Corrigan, 17, a market stall fruit seller, said: 'I like it because I've always lived here.

'It always looks a little bit run down but it's not too bad, there are a few places to hang around and my mates all live around here.

'I wouldn't say it's the worst place to live but obviously people have said it is so it must be.'

In Luton, which came out as the third worst place in England to live, locals had mixed views - but all of them agreed many parts of the town appeared dirty.

In Luton, which came out as the third worst place in England to live, locals had mixed views

However, all of the locals agreed many parts of the town appeared dirty - for example these bins which were left in the middle of a pavement

People spoke of of public areas including the pedestrianised town centre being blighted by litter in the streets as well as human excrement and urine

David Henderson, 52, pictured left, who works on a vehicle production line: said ' I grew up in Luton in the 1980s when the town was a lot cleaner and the people were much more polite, kind and helpful.' Joanne Rumney, 27, pictured right, said the town has become much dirtier in recent years and it's now not uncommon to see rats on the streets day and night

People spoke of of public areas including the pedestrianised town centre being blighted by litter in the streets as well as human excrement and urine.

David Henderson, 52, who works on a vehicle production line: said ' I grew up in Luton in the 1980s when the town was a lot cleaner and the people were much more polite, kind and helpful.

'Luton has completely changed and it's not nearly as clean as it used to be, it's dirty in places

'There are many homeless p eople that you see around the town and I know there is problem with drugs.

'Millions and millions of pounds need to be spent on Luton to bring it up to standard.' 

Joanne Rumney has lived in Luton all her life and is unemployed staying in one room in a hostel.

She said the town has become much dirtier in recent years and it's now not uncommon to see rats on the streets day and night.

The 27-year-old, who is on benefits told MailOnline: 'Even where I live there is a park opposite the hostel and you see people in the park relieving themselves in front of children.'

Meanwhile in Scunthorpe, which came fourth on the list, locals were not pleased by the survey's verdict that 'Maccy D's is the chav's staple diet' and that the town has three of the fast food restaurants.

In Scunthorpe, which came fourth on the list, locals were not pleased by the survey's verdict

It said that 'Maccy D's is the chav's staple diet' and that the town has three of the fast food restaurants

On Saturday afternoon the town centre was far from bustling with few people milling around

Sarah Tucker, 19, thinks Scunthorpe is just like any other small town in northern England and that people do not realise it is not as bad as they think.

Sarah, who lived in the area for most of her life until going to Sheffield University - said: 'People are dead friendly here and too many people from the outside are too quick to judge.

'The quote about three McDonalds making it a chavvy place is ridiculous - McDonalds isn't based on class. There are tons of McDonalds in every town and city. 

'I think if it's residents who have made these comments, it's because they haven't got out of the area much - they haven't seen other places.

Sarah added: 'I moved away for University but I came back. It 's not full of chavs at all - people have got it wrong.'

Single mother-of-two Amber Betts enjoys living in Scunthorpe but agrees the town centre could do with a bit of 'sprucing up'. 

Single mother-of-two Amber Betts, 27, pictured left, enjoys living in Scunthorpe but agrees the town centre could do with a bit of 'sprucing up'. Sarah Tucker, 19, pictured right, thinks Scunthorpe is just like any other small town in northern England and that people do not realise it is not as bad as they think

Charlotte Hoodless, 77, was born in the area's Epworth and thinks it is a lovely spot - not like the survey's description given of 'chav country retreat'

Amber, 27, who has lived in Scunthorpe all her life, said she hasn't ever thought of moving away.

Meanwhile Charlotte Hoodless, 77, was born in the area's Epworth and thinks it is a lovely spot - not like the survey's description given of 'chav country retreat'.

Charlotte, who moved to Scunthorpe with her family when she was a young girl before meeting her husband in the local pub, said: 'I don't think it's right that it's in the top worst places to live at all.'

Great-grandmother Charlotte, who has two daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, said: 'The folk are friendly here, it's a busy town centre - there's a nice market here on a Friday and Saturday.

'The problem is that it's got a few empty shops and Marks and Spencers has left the town centre and gone to a retail park on the outskirts.

'That was a big asset and it drives people away with it not being in the centre.'

She added: 'It needs investment but it's not a dump. I've had a lovely life here.'

In the survey, Hull was deemed the second worst place to live in England - with one former resident saying they 'moved when local gangs started to have pitched battles using such weapons as garden shears'.

But locals in the city - which is the UK's City of Culture this year - disagreed with the list's scathing assessment.

Hull was deemed the second worst place to live in England

One former resident told the survey that they moved 'when local gangs started to have pitched battles using such weapons as garden shears'

Kathleen Mould, 67, has lived there all her life and thinks the City of Culture has been a positive thing for the area.

She said: 'I don't think Hull is particularly worse than any other city and they've worked really hard to make it better.

'The fruit market has been done out nicely - you've got estates but they're no worse than other places.

'We've got a minster now. You can't say Hull hasn't tried.'

The mother-of-one, who works as a doctors' receptionist, added: 'It's a shame the shopping isn't up to much.

Locals in the city - which is the UK's City of Culture this year - disagreed with the list's scathing assessment

Speaking to MailOnline, residents praised their area and said it was full of heritage - but they admitted many shops had closed

'A lot of the big stores are closing down in the main shopping centre which means that people go elsewhere to shop.'

She added: 'There have been times when I've thought the city was much better when I was younger but I've never thought of moving and they're trying hard with it now.

'Have the people who say it's a dump really been here and really explored it's heritage?'

Jessi Corman thinks the city is vibrant and full of energy after living there for just three months.

Originally from Kentucky, America, the 30-year-old moved to the city with her boyfriend having visited the area several times to see family.

Jessi Corman, pictured left, thinks the city is vibrant and full of energy after living here for just three months. Kathleen Mould, 67, pictured right, has lived in Hull all her life and thinks the City of Culture has been a positive thing for the area

Jessi said: 'There are a lot of good vibes here and a lot of good energy with the City of Culture. The energy levels are high and it's nice to see.'

Jessi, who works for Hull City Council, said the people are very friendly.

She said: 'I lived in London for three years and I was always apologising to people and they were so rude.

'Here the people are so friendly and nice and they will stop and talk to you.

'It's also a great place for young families, the cost of living is so low. The house prices are great for people starting out.'< /p>

She added: 'I think a lot of people assume Hull is going to be a dump but I definitely think they're wrong.'

The 10 worst places to live in England (...according to their not-so-proud inhabitants)

10. Blackpool

'Go back a few streets from the prom and you will see the deprivation, the ghettos and the scummy pubs that make up the REAL Blackpool.' 

9. Oldham

'I think Oldham was best summed up by a friend of mine who remarked the people look as though the government has been performing nuclear testing in the area.' 

8. Sunderland

'It's a pretty sad place, to be honest. Find somewhere with easy access to Newcastle city centre and you'll be happy.' 

7. Gravesend

'If you must come to Gravesend, please stop by the estate agents and buy my house, because it's far to close to chavs for comfort.' 

6. Bradford

'Bradford is literally hell on earth. The city centre resembles a squalid cess pit, full of monstrous partially demolished 60s concrete office blocks.' 

5. Rochdale

'Rochdale, once described by Monty Python as a quaint Northern village, I am sure you already recognise this as a misnomer of the greatest degree.' 

4. Scunthorpe

'If Maccy Ds is the chav's staple diet, what does that tell you about a town that boasts not one, not two but THREE of these gourmet eateries?' 

3. Luton

'One of the most shocking moments in Luton was on Christmas day. My friend pointed out the local McDonalds, saying 'it gets busier every year'.'

2. Hull

'I lived in Hull until I was ten but my parents moved when local gangs started to have pitched battles using such weapons as garden shears.'

1. Dover

'Let us for a moment imagine that the British Isles are the silhouette of an old man.

'Scotland is his cap, Cornwall his toes, Anglia his curved spine, making Dover his herpes infested s***hole.'

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