After Epsom was named ‘most courteous town in the UK’ the Epsom Guardian hit the streets to gauge the popular reaction.

The National Campaign for Courtesy selected the historic market town last month, citing its ‘clean streets, polite people and well-mannered children’.

From September 30: Polite people, clean streets and well-mannered children: Epsom named 'most courteous town in UK'

But one Faraday barman said he ‘couldn’t believe it’ when he heard the news.

Josh Armatage, 25, said: "When I read it I was stunned. I have no idea who came up with it but they obviously don’t know Epsom.

"Obviously working in a bar I see a certain side of it, but I’ve had all sorts on a Friday night. I’ve had people say they’ll smash my head in, and people calling me some disgusting things."

Lifelong Cox Lane resident David Jones echoed this, saying he’d been ‘started on more times than I could count’.

The 32-year-old said: "There are some very aggressive people around here, lots of people looking for a fight on a Friday night.

"I don’t really go out in Epsom and that’s partially why.

"Having said that, there are a lot of friendly people around during the day. I’ve just had a lovely chat with a complete stranger on the High Street."

Another popular opinion was that Epsom ‘isn’t as posh as you’d think’.

Lynette Wraight said: "Don’t get me wrong - the people are friendly but there’s this image of Epsom being plush and it’s really not. It’s just like any town.

"It varies a lot too. There are some very big, expensive houses but like anywhere there’s a mix. We have council estates and a large traveller community, too."

Mr Armatage said: "Up towards the Downs there are multi-million pound houses. But 15 minutes back the other way there are council estates."

Another complaint levelled at the High Street was large number of charity shops, and the dearth of ‘fancy’ outlets.

Indeed, the town has Children’s Trust, Oxfam, British Heart Foundation, Scope and Cancer Research shops all within a 100-metre stretch.

But Scope sales worker Julie Bolton said this was a sign of ‘what a nice place this is to live and work’.

She said: "If people weren’t so generous, charity shops like ours couldn’t exist.

"I go out onto the street sometimes and smile and people always smile back at me, it’s lovely."

And Ahmed Youness, who’s only worked in Epsom for two years, remarked how welcoming the public had been.

The Cafe Carraro worker, 34, said: "It’s only a small town but I’ve never had any problem with anyone in the two years I’ve been here.

"It’s nice, it’s quiet and the people are gentle."

Got an opinion? Comment below or email letters@epsomguardian.co.uk.