Latest data from the Office for National Statistics gives the unenvied title of most deprived area of Swindon to Walcot East - a statistic which has surprised residents.

As part of the 2021 census, households in England and Wales were classified in terms of four "dimensions of deprivation".

Our reporter went down to Walcot to speak to the residents to find out how they feel about their area...

Swindon Advertiser:

Community centres are often at the heart of areas of Swindon and that is no different in Walcot with Buckhurst Community Centre hosting events and proving help for residents.

Centre Administrator, David Bell said he did not expect Walcot to be the most deprived area: “People do come to us for help and we do try to sign post people to different areas but the council are very supportive and they are understanding of certain situation so we’re very grateful of their support.

“I am a little bit surprised at that figure because this area doesn’t seem much worse than similar areas in the town. We try and provide for the needs of people who live in the area.

“Our centre is very popular with lots of people from different backgrounds using it and we get booked up at weekends with social events for the Nepalese and other communities around the town.

“We have signed up to the Swindon Borough Council warm places initiative which will impact us as well, but in the current climate it seems like the right thing to do.”

Other areas listed in the deprivation stats are Penhill, Park North, Park South and Pinehurst. By contrast, though, the neighbourhood with the lowest level of deprivation was Mouldon Hill and Oakhurst.

Swindon Advertiser:

Residents of the area also shared their surprise at the news.

Dorthey Farthing said: “I have only lived here for five years, but I have also lived in other areas of the town too so I don’t see a great deal of difference.

“You can see areas that are more deprived than others in terms of housing maybe with some people who look like they’re struggling, but in general I don’t think the area looks any more deprived than anywhere else in any town not just Swindon.”

The ONS takes into account multiple dimensions of deprivation. The first is where any member of a household is not a full-time student and is either unemployed or long-term sick. In the second section nobody in households have at least five or more GCSE passes or equivalent qualifications.

And the other dimensions are where any person in the household has a long-term health problem and live in a shared dwelling or has no central heating