Leeds shoots up league of most exciting cities

The centre of Leeds is rated fifth in a new list of England’s most vibrant urban areas.

It has leapt up the league table from the 30th position it would have occupied if the same list had been compiled a decade ago.

Other places in the top 10 include Manchester and Kensington and Chelsea in London. Sheffield was another high climber, moving up 30 places to 41st position.

The “vibrancy list” has been put together by information services company Experian, using data collected for the 2011 Census.

Housing type, economic activity and the professional status of residents were all criteria that helped Experian pick out places with young, affluent populations.