LIFE in Bournemouth can be one big headache. That’s according to a survey which says the resort is the third most “painful” town in the UK to live in.

The research claims Bournemouth has some of the highest factors that can potentially lead to headaches.

Locals were asked to rate the area on headache-inducing factors such as hot and overcrowded public transport, too many tourists and noise late into the night.

For 70 per cent of residents, neighbours playing music late into the night were the biggest cause of headaches; 67 per cent cited traffic jams caused by tourists; and 65 per cent put noisy teenagers at the top of the list.

Other factors given were lack of air conditioning in public spaces and pollution.

However, West Moors GP Dr Tom McKinstry said: “These results are quite a surprise, and I can’t give a medical reason why Bournemouth would have a higher rate of headaches, but it probably relates to the increased number of stressed people, the rise in property prices and the summer humidity.

“Dehydration would certainly be a factor, as often people working in offices underestimate the amount of water that they should drink.”

But local residents had mixed reactions when presented with the results of the survey, carried out for Nurofen.

Housewife Angela Tattershall, 50, from Bournemouth said: “ I have headaches all the time and the amount certainly increases with the heat. However, Pam Rees, 68, added: “ I think that elderly people don’t drink enough water and I certainly experience more headaches than I used too.”

But shop owner, Danny Francis, 32, from Westbourne believed getting headaches had more to do with personality.

He said: “ I am a fairly laid- back person and generally don’t get headaches. I don’t get easily stressed.”

There were divided opinions on whether tourism in Bournemouth had a significant impact on the health of local residents. Shop manager Jenny Boland, 21, from Springbourne, said: “Tourism is one of the best things going in Bournemouth.

“Tourists are generally more relaxed and happy when they come in our shop and that makes us feel happier when we’re serving them.

“I don’t think that tourism causes headaches. Rather, I think that the negative results reflect the fact there are a lot of students in the area.

“The headaches are probably caused by the stress of exams and coursework.”

Flower stall seller Sarah Garrity, 36, from Bournemouth added: “It’s not the tourists, it’s the recession. People are underpaid and overworked and it causes them stress. People need to relax more.

Juvenal Quinta, 60, agreed: “I don’t blame the tourists. I don’t blame the students. I blame the government.

“If more people had jobs, there would be less stress for everyone.”

Bournemouth Tourism events manager John Weaver said tourism was good for the economy: “We live in a beautiful area that will attract tourists. We have 16,000 people employed in the tourism industry and also make over £4,000,000 from tourism. It is a major industry and people will come to stay.”

Psychologist Linda Papadopoulos said: “ It is interesting that some of the most popular seaside destinations, like Bournemouth, have actually been revealed as ‘pain hot spots’.

“These concerns, as identified by their residents, can cause so much stress as they can lead to physical symptoms.

“Perhaps Bournemouth residents associate the summer holidays with these physical side effects which greatly affects their enjoyment of what is otherwise one of the most popular seasons.”