BRIGHTON has been crowned the most eco-friendly city in the country, according to new research.

The city claimed the top spot based on a variety of "green factors", with an overall score of 6.79 out of 10, according to Garden of Life.

These included the number of allotments, charity shops and vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the city, as well as the number of people who cycle once per month and the percentage of household waste that is recycled.

Brighton was the top-ranking city for both vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants per person and also had the second-highest rate of people choosing to cycle at least once a month at 22.5 per cent.

The research read: "Brighton ranked in first place for not only the number of vegan-friendly restaurants but vegetarian too, with a thriving plant-based community.

READ MORE >> Brighton crowned most eco-friendly city

"Even if you’re not vegan or veggie yourself, cutting down on your meat intake can be a good way to reduce your own personal impact on the environment."

The city was followed by second-place Bristol, another city with "great green credentials".

Bristol was named European Green Capital back in 2015 and had a score of 6.54 out of 10 in the Green of Life research.

The area also had the highest number of cyclists of all the cities that were analysed and is also home to 111 allotment sites across the city - the equivalent of 19.2 per 100,000 people.

Third place spot went to Newcastle upon Tyne, while Norwich and Edinburgh claimed fourth and fifth respectively.

Not claiming the top spot for cycling might come as a surprise for Brighton residents, who have seen the introduction of a number of cycle lanes.

The Argus: Pedal pushers: cyclists complete the London to Brighton bike ride.

Just days ago, the deputy leader of the city council described how a white van struck her in a Covid cycle lane.

Green councillor Hannah Clare said she was cycling on the Old Shoreham Road lane, Hove, when a white van turning into a petrol station struck her bike.

She said she has been left “shaken” by the incident, which happened at about 10.30 am near the Shell garage.

The westbound Covid cycle lane was introduced last May in an effort to provide a socially-distant way to travel amid the pandemic.

She said: "I am still alive after a white van driver decided that a cycle lane was actually a white van man lane and I am a silly cyclist who didn’t realise that."