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THE TELEGRAPH has stuck its foot in it by releasing its annual ranking of England's counties and not crowning Hampshire as number one. Ranked best to worst the list considered 48 counties and measured them according to natural wonders, history and culture, luxuries, peace and quiet. Devon made it to the top, with Bedfordshire resigned to last place, just above Bristol and the City of London, which occupy places 47 and 46.

Champions of Hampshire will be dismayed to discover it did not make the podium, falling one position from last year's seventh to eight (although we can take some solace in being above Surrey and Wiltshire). Mayor of Winchester , Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith, 74, from Alresford (Image: Charles Elliman) He was not in his mayoral attire, but Winchester Mayor Cllr Russell Gordon-Smith, 74, went into bat for our county and did not agree with The Telegraph's ranking. He said: "Cumbria has a fine landscape, you've got the Lake District and [William] Wordsworth, but we have John Keats.



"[Hampshire should be] right at the top! There's so much happening around here. And you've got a varied landscape: chalk downs, lowland heath and green sandstone places." The Alresford resident also noted the county was very welcoming, he added: "I don't know what it is about Hampshire, but when they move in, people are accepted quite quickly.

" Natalie Watson, 39 from Surbiton (Image: Charles Elliman) Natalie Watson, 39 is used to selling people a location, working Winchester's Travelbag.

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