Newark has highest levels of life satisfaction in county

Residents of Newark and Sherwood have the highest levels of life satisfaction in Nottinghamshire, according to new figures from the Office For National Statistics (ONS).

The new figures on personal wellbeing found that residents of Newark and Sherwood on average gave a score of 8.0 out of 10 for life satisfaction, which is the second highest in the East Midlands.

Figures also show that compared to the rest of the county, Newark and Sherwood recorded the lowest levels of anxiety and residents find their lives the most worthwhile.

Newark and Sherwood is the second happiest district in the county to Rushcliffe. It was given a 7.71 out of 10 compared to Rushcliffe's 7.77.

Deputy leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council Keith Girling said: "It's really positive. I think it's great.

"It shows the work thats being done by all partners, which is starting to have a really positive impact."

The ONS figures were collected through a survey of 150,000 people.

The four questions posed were:

• 'Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?'
• 'Overall, how happy did you feel yesterday?'
• 'Overall, to what extent do you feel the things you do in your life are worthwhile?'
• 'Overall, how anxious did you feel yesterday?'

MP for Newark, Robert Jenrick, said:"It doesn't surprise me that people are quite content in our area as it's an extremely nice place to live.

"People are friendly and there's a strong sense of community.

"Newark has one of the lowest levels of unemployment and I am sure that does help give people a good sense of security."