Capital is only UK city in world top 50

London is the only British city to have been ranked in a worldwide top 50 for quality of living.

It came in at 39th place based on such measures as crime, political stability, hospitals, transport, food and drink, leisure, climate and personal freedom.

London was followed by Birmingham in 55th position, Glasgow at 57, Aberdeen at 53rd and Belfast at number 63. The Mercer Quality Of Living ranking assesses 221 cities to help governments and firms place staff on assignments. Vienna won for the second year running.

The Iraqi capital Baghdad was at the bottom of the list. Zurich and Geneva were in second and third place and the German cities of Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich were in sixth and joint seventh place.