IT'S official - the feature that makes a village the most desirable place in which to live is a pub.

It seems that potential buyers wanting village homes put a good local at the top of their wish list, according to research by agents Knight Frank.

Shaun Hobbs, of the Basingstoke office of Knight Frank, said: "Pubs have always been a focal point in British communities. But today's village pubs offer much more for families than they did before."

He added: "The good pub has become a community centre - not just somewhere for a pint before going home at the end of a long working day."

A primary school and a village shop come next in the list because they are also key to building a community.

But it is not just what is in the village that counts.

Buyers feel a good easy distance - but not too close - to a major road network, railway line and reasonable town is also important.

The attraction of a village is also influenced by the proximity of a good employment centre and by its own environmental charms such as peace and quiet.

Villages in Hampshire have everything on such a wish list, which makes many of them price hotspots where buyers are prepared to pay for the right location and home.

When it comes to employment, Basingstoke is home to multi-national companies with good opportunities for a skilled workforce.

While staff at Knight Frank have researched the village market, Bradford and Bingley Poulters have been looking at the most popular street names in the UK.

High Street and Station Road take the top two places, followed by names beginning with Church, which goes to show that a particular address can attract a buyer up your street.