BBC presenter Steph McGovern has leapt to the defence of her home town after a report that said it was the 'worst place in the UK for girls to live'.

She said: "I hate it when league tables are published declaring the best/worst places to live, or some other label which leaves a load of people miffed because their home town/city has ended up at the bottom.

"This time it's my home town in the firing line: 'Middlesbrough is the worst place in the UK for a girl to grow up'. This is based on data pulled together from stats compiled by local authorities and anedotal evidence.

"Don't get me wrong, I know my hometown has lots of problems, like other places I visit around the country, but does it help to point these places out as being the worst for something? How does that benefit the people who live there?

"I do a lot of work with young people in the region and telling girls that they have a rubbish chance of doing well in life is not helping them.

"I grew up in Middlesbrough and I have the town to thank for what I have achieved in life.

"It gave me a good state education, various jobs in my teens and taught me resilience and independence.

"Quite frankly I don't think I would be where I am today if I had grown up anywhere else.

"So I'd like to say thank you to Middlesbrough for making me who I am today.

"I know we're not perfect but don't let the statisticians grind you down."