PEOPLE living in East Lothian have given it a resounding thumbs up, with 99 per cent of those questioned describing it as a good place to live.

A survey carried out by East Lothian Council found nearly everyone was happy with their neighbourhood and life in the county.

Nearly 80 per cent believed that the  council did the best it could with the funding available and there was a high level of satisfaction at most services provided.

However, one in four of those interviewed said they did not believe they could influence council decisions affecting their local areas.

The survey was carried out with face-to-face interviews of over 1,500 residents across the county and its finding included in the council's annual report, which was presented to members at a meeting in Haddington Town House last Tuesday.

The report also looked at how the local authority had delivered on promises set out in its five-year plan from 2012 to 2017 and said it had met almost all of its commitments.

Among its achievements, it said, was the establishment of the Construction and Technology Academy in Musselburgh and development of a masterplan for the former Cockenzie Power Station site, which has still to be unveiled.

Councillor Fiona O'Donnell, ward member for Preston, Seton, Gosford, welcomed the achievements but pointed out that the masterplan for Cockenzie would not be finalised when revealed.

She said: "It is important to reassure the community that when the masterplan is published it is not council policy, it will be consulted on."

Councillor Norman Hampshire, depute council leader, said the report looked back at the council's ongoing work.

He said: "This report highlights some key achievements over the past year, including tangible results from East Lothian Works supporting young people looking for jobs.

"The new Construction and Technology Centre in Musselburgh has provided places for 160 pupils across the secondary school sector and 25 young people were supported in jobs with local businesses through the Scottish Employment Recruitment Initiative.

"As a politician of many years, I know how important it is to hear the views of local residents and it was extremely encouraging to discover that East Lothian residents have a very high level of satisfaction with East Lothian as a place to live, with their council services and also with the way the council is performing. We will build upon the achievements over the next five years."