Two Suffolk districts are in the top five happiest places in the UK according to new research – and the rest of the county is getting happier every year.

According to new research by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), people in Mid Suffolk are the third happiest in the UK while those in Suffolk Coastal are the fourth happiest, narrowly behind Craven in North Yorkshire and the Orkney Islands.

The survey, which asked residents to rate their happiness out of ten, shows Suffolk residents have felt more happy each year for the last five years – from a rating of 7.57 in 2011/12 to 7.87 in 2016/17.

Residents in Mid Suffolk rated their happiness as 8.18 with those in Suffolk Coastal giving a rating of 8.16, well above the UK average of 7.7.

Every council district in Suffolk but Forest Heath has seen an increase in happiness over last year.

Nick Gowrly, leader of Midf Suffolk District Council said: 'I am thrilled to hear it - it is excellent news for Mid Suffolk.

'We have always said this is one of the nicest places to live and the new survey backs this up.

'I think in Mid Suffolk we have a lot going for us. 'It is in the centre of the county, you can reach the coast in under an hour and is easy to get to London, Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich.

'It is a beautiful part of the country, we have one of the highest numbers of listed buildings in Suffolk and we have some wonderful villages where people can live.

'There is also a really good community feeling about the place.'

Geoff Holdcroft, deputy leader of Suffolk Coastal District Council, said he was 'absolutely thrilled' to hear the news.

He said: 'We want to have a great place for our residents to live and for visitors come and eat and shop.

'Suffolk Coastal is just a very good place to come and be.

'I live in Woodbridge and there are lots of community organisations that work independently which we like to support.

'I feel in Suffolk Coastal our market towns are just the right size, not too big where it gets impersonal.

'I am absolutely thrilled by the news.

'I think it is a great place to live and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.'