HINCKLEY folk are much happier than people living in Leicester and Coventry, according to a study.

The borough is the 132nd happiest area in the country, out of a total of 271 places.

And if you want to be even happier you could pop over the border to Nuneaton and Bedworth - the 102nd happiest place in the country. Leicester came 231st and Coventry 220th.

And the smiling vicar, Brian Davis, of St Mary's Church in Hinckley, said: "I think happiness has a lot to do with friends.

"In Hinckley people have family around them, and lots of friends, and that helps people to feel secure.

"Sometimes I stand in Castle Street and watch, and people are always stopping to talk to friends."

Dr Dimitri Ballas, who conducted the research at the University of Sheffield, said: "There really is something about the intrinsic nature of places which can influence happiness and wellbeing.

"The environment, lack of green spaces, air and noise pollution, crime rates - all of these influence happiness."

Researchers measured a host of factors, including age, income, health and education.

Unemployment was only a factor if your neighbours were in work.