Grays and Purfleet have been rated in London’s top ten commuter towns.

A study undertaken by TotallyMoney examined 116 of London’s most popular commuter towns and ranked them by combining journey time, average house price, season ticket cost and life satisfaction.

Purfleet took top spot in the country with its very affordable housing and close proximity to the city. Grays came in.

The towns were among only four in the list that had average house prices of less than £300,000.

More south Essex towns were given high ratings in the top 25 list. Laindon was sixth, Pitsea clinched 13th place and Wickford sneaked into 24th place.

Rob Gledhill, leader of Thurrock Council was pleased that Purfleet and Grays had been able to reach to the top of the list.

He said: “With places like Purfleet and Grays going through a regeneration, there is always an attractiveness for those in London to come out to the area.

“We are doing our utmost to ensure that all of Thurrock is continuously improving and I was really pleased to see a number of towns in the top ten. It shows that Thurrock is the place to be right now.”

John Allen, vice chairman of Thurrock Council’s planning, transport and regeneration committee, added: “I consider Thurrock an important part of the country and in Essex, it is a popular place.

"I believe people like to live here and with the rail links being good, they are in such close proximity to be able to work in London.”