The highest number of people in Norfolk who participate in weekly sporting activities are from the south of the county, a national report has shown.

In data highlighted by South Norfolk Council from Sport England's Active People Survey, 40pc of people over the age of 14 and 39.6pc of people over the age of 16 participate in at least 30 minutes of sport at moderate intensity once a week.

It does not include walking but does include more intense activities such as power walking.

Both sets of figures are nearly 7pc above the county average.

Martin Wilby, deputy leader of South Norfolk Council, said: 'This is fantastic news and a great achievement for our district. The health and well-being of our residents is a priority for South Norfolk Council and it is great to see that the work we are doing is having such an impact on our young people.

'South Norfolk Council is investing nearly £5m in our leisure centres and we are looking at ways that we can provide our communities across the district with leisure facilities that they can use on a regular basis.'

The two districts with the next highest participation levels are Norwich City Council with 38.5pc for over 14s and 38.3pc for over 16s and Broadland with 35.7pc for over 14s and 33.9pc for over 16s.

The district with the lowest participation was Great Yarmouth with 28.2pc of people over the age of 14 and 27.7pc of people over the age of 16 participating in sport.

The national survey results are from October 2014 to September 2015.

South Norfolk also has the highest figure in the county for residents who are over the age of 16 and exercise for at least 30 minutes, three times a week.