HAMPSHIRE is one of the top 10 places to retire to, according to a new survey.

Prudential’s Quality Retirement Index ranks the county as the equal-fifth most popular destination for people to enjoy their post-work years.

The index is calculated based on five key areas – health, home ownership, marital status, over-65s tendency to travel and percentage of the population providing ongoing unpaid care.

Out of 174 counties, 170 were given a score out of 10 for each area, with Hampshire gaining 41 marks.

According to the index, 81 per cent of Hampshire retirees own their home and 57 per cent are identified as being in good health, while 49 per cent are married.

The top retirement destination in the country was Dorest with 46, followed by Solihull with 44 and the Vale of Glamorgan with 42.

Barking and Dagenham, in Essex, came bottom of the list with eight points each.

Vince Smith-Hughes, retirement expert at Prudential, said: “Our analysis clearly shows that the quality of life experienced by retirees varies significantly across the country.

“People looking to secure a retirement in an area where the quality of life is already high, or those simply looking to be as financially comfortable as possible when they give up work, are well advised to follow the simple rule of saving as much as possible as early as possible in their working lives.”