THE HAPPIEST places in the UK have been named - and two parts of Sussex have made the top five.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been monitoring levels of happiness throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mid Sussex has been ranked joint fifth in the country for being one of the happiest places.

The day before the lockdown was introduced, people's happiness was rated in England and Wales at an average of 7.2 out of 10.

After the pandemic hit, the average dropped to 6.4 last year during the first week of lockdown in March.

The Argus: Mid Sussex was the third happiest place in the UK according to the ONSMid Sussex was the third happiest place in the UK according to the ONS

Since then, the levels of happiness have mirrored the strictness of restrictions.

In July 2020, on average, people rated their happiness at 7.1 out of 10 before it dropped back down to 6.4 in January.

Using this rating system, Mid Sussex has been ranked in the top 5 places of happiness.

The district is tied in third place with an average happiness score of 7.2, the same as the Isle of Wight, Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire, South Holland in Lincolnshire, Thurrock in Essex and Winchester in Hampshire.

The happiest place in the country is Hambleton in North Yorkshire with a score of 7.4, and second place is Ashford in Kent along with Newark and Sherwood in Nottinghamshire and Daventry in Northamptonshire.

The district of Arun also made the top five of the list with a happiness score of 7.

A spokesman for the Arun District Council said: "We in the Arun district are fortunate indeed to live in such a beautiful part of the UK.

"With award-winning beaches, parks and countryside along with strong town and village centres, plentiful activities and attractions to visit, all within easy reach of many residents and the returning visitors to the district.

"While recognising that for many, the past few months have been particularly difficult, and we may not be out of the woods yet, the spirit of community in the Arun district has shone through.

"There have been many examples of individuals, organisations, businesses and neighbours helping each other to come through the pandemic."