MIDDLESBROUGH remains one of the worst places to live in the country, according to research by a TV company.

The town is again included after it was named by last year's Channel 4 programme as a UK blackspot.

The rankings will be revealed in full tonight by presenters Sofie Allsopp and Phil Spencer on The Best And Worst Places to Live In The UK: 2006.

The London Borough of Hackney has already been revealed as the worst place to live, according to new research for Channel 4.

The east London district was ranked as the most uninviting of all of the UK's 434 local authorities.

Results are based on five criteria for home-buyers - crime, environment, lifestyle, education and employment.

Last year's worst place, Hull, whose inclusion sparked controversy, has now disappeared from the list, along with Mansfield and Salford.

But Middlesbrough, along with Nottingham, Strabane, Hackney, Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil are all repeat offenders this year.

* Middlesbrough may be on the list but probably not for much longer.

The £19m Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art opens next year with exhibits by Picasso, Matisse and Warhol, along with current major stars like Damien Hirst.

At 19,000sq m, Centre Square is one of the largest civic spaces in Europe, and was recently described by Mayor Ray Mallon as a major asset to the revitalisation of Middlesbrough's urban landscape.

And the wider Tees Valley Tees Valley has a reputation for being the UK's most vibrant digital hub, boasting a world reputation for innovation, creativity and daring.