BRIGHTON and Hove has been ranked as the third most inspirational city for literature, it has been revealed.

New research by South Western Railway found the UK's biggest literary hotspots - with the city ranking among the best in the country.

Experts analysed over 3,000 books according to Goodreads to find the locations that were most commonly inspired and featured in these novels.

The research also found the average book rating for each location and the most common genre set here.

Peter James fans will be familiar with Brighton's literature heritage, as the city beat dozens to the podium place.

The Argus:

A spokesman from South Western Railway said: "The UK has a rich literary history, with classic British texts dominating popular culture throughout time.

"Whether tucked away in the rolling hills of Edinburgh, or set in the bustling landscape of London, the UK is the backdrop of some of the world’s most famous tales.

"If you’re a fan of Austen or perhaps have a secret affinity for Shakespeare, it’s always exciting to hear familiar British landmarks appearing on the pages of your favourite books.

"This spark of recognition helps you to imagine the world of the author more clearly, and enables you to walk hand in hand with your most beloved characters.

"This idea got us thinking, so we set about investigating the most popular settings for books around the UK, with the hopes of visiting these iconic locations ourselves!"

In an expected twist, London ranked at the top of the list, with over 400 books of all genres based in this sprawling metropolis.

With almost 40 novels based in Scotland, Edinburgh ranked second. Whilst magic and mystery may be the most common genres, a number of classics also feature.