UK's 'best' cities ranked: Edinburgh outstrips London to be named the 'best place to live and work' in new study

Edinburgh has been voted the most attractive city in the UK to live and work in, according to a new study.

The Scottish city's access to education, healthcare and vast green spaces saw it rank higher than anywhere else in Britain.

Edinburgh came ahead of the UK capital although London scored higher on earnings, employment and business activity.

Commissioned by Royal Mail, the study ranked 12 cities across nine categories including access to education, green space and healthcare, cultural services and housing costs.

The Scottish capital came first on access to education and performed well on job opportunities, business community, earnings and access to green space, which covers 28 per cent of the city.

Earnings in Edinburgh (at £578 on average per week) are second only to London and the city also has the second highest number of start-ups, while office space costs are about half that of London and the employment rate is strong at 70.8 per cent.

Edinburgh Council Leader Adam McVey said: "It is welcome news that Edinburgh is yet again receiving recognition as the UK's top city to live and work in.

"The facts demonstrating the city's attributes are plentiful and our own statistics in Edinburgh by Numbers show that Edinburgh is a vibrant capital city with a diverse economy, an increasing population with strong investment potential."

People in London, which came in second place, have the highest earnings at £697 per week on average, while employment levels are strong at 73.7 per cent.

However the capital fell down when it came to affordable housing and office costs which are the highest in the UK.

Bristol, in third place, has an employment rate of 77.3 per cent and is the top-ranking UK city for job opportunities while Newcastle-Gateshead was fourth and Manchester fifth overall.

Glasgow came in sixth place.

Known as the 'dear green place' it lives up to its reputation, taking first place for the share of the city which is green space, at 35 per cent.

Leeds was votred seventh place followed by Cardiff, Sheffield, Liverpool, Belfast and Birmingham.

Royal Mail spokesman David Gold said: "This new research from Royal Mail shows there is hot competition among the UK's leading cities to be the most attractive location for people to live and work in.

"Edinburgh has the edge on other economically significant UK cities. Bristol also performs well in categories including job opportunities, healthcare, business community and culture."

Royal Mail worked with Cebr to investigate the UK's most attractive cities to live and work in.

The research considered the UK's ten most economically significant cities as well as the capital cities of Wales and Northern Ireland.

Additional reporting by Press Association