HEREFORDSHIRE has been named the ninth ‘classiest’ county in the UK.

The county is “the new Cotswolds” according to Anthony Clay of London -based estate agents Knight Frank, and is growing in popularity.

However in the top-20 list, published by The Daily Telegraph, it was pipped by classier local rivals Shropshire (8th) and Gloucestershire (2nd).

The list names the Hereford Cathedral School as a big draw for “families seeking a good education for their offspring”, among its reasons for top-10 status.

Number one was Norfolk, whose "ultra-trendy" towns "ooze class" and "attract a sophisticated set from London", apparently.