DESPITE the heavy traffic, Winchester has been named as the happiest place to live in the UK.

A new study conducted by Royal Mail has identified the most content residents in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Winchester topped every other city in the country, with the study pinning such happiness on "the local authority’s high earnings", "a high reported sense of well-being from residents", and "low levels of deprivation."

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: "This new study takes a look at the areas across the UK sparking the most joy.

"For people across the UK looking to live in or visit the happiest places, there are plenty to choose from.

"Royal Mail connects communities and businesses across the UK, delivering to nearly 30 million addresses."

The findings are based on an index composed of eight measures relevant to people's happiness.

In England, the South East dominated the list, with five other local authorities from the region ranked in the top ten.

In second place was Babergh, a local government district in Suffolk.

Ruschliffe in the East Midlands and Ribble Valley in the North West came in at number three and number five, respectively.