Southampton drivers are more likely to leave their car at home than virtually anybody else in England, new figures reveal.

The city has been named the fifth least car-dependent in the country in research by the Campaign for Better Transport, making it the most-improved since it first carried out its survey two years ago.

It comes after a campaign was launched this summer across Southampton and Hampshire aimed at changing the way people travel.

Cllr Asa Thorpe, Southampton City Council ’s Cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Southampton’s position in this table demonstrates our commitment to sustainable transport in all its forms, whether encouraging more use of public transport, promoting car-sharing to ease the pressure on the roads and reduce carbon emissions or extolling the many virtues and benefits of walking and cycling.”

The Car Dependency Scorecard looks at the opportunities available for people to get around by using public transport, walking or cycling.

London was found to be the least car-dependent city, followed by Brighton and Hove, Nottingham, Cambridge and Southampton.

A major campaign was launched earlier this summer in Southampton and across Hampshire, with the aim of encouraging people to leave their cars behind.