People in Sussex are among the highest paid in the South of England, according to a survey.

Residents in the west of the county command the second-highest incomes, next to Hampshire.

With an average annual income of £24,918, Hampshire was deemed to be the wealthiest place in the South in a survey by Barclays Private Clients, the wealth management arm of Barclays Bank.

Average incomes in West Sussex are £22,838, followed by Poole at £22,657 and East Sussex, where people earn an average £21,476.

Brighton and Hove people earn £20,840, the sixth highest in the South.

The highest-paid people in England and Wales live in Kensington and Chelsea, with an average income of £36,493.

However, the survey, based on 5.7 million Barclays current account customers, was not an indication of the personal wealth of individuals.

Michael Pinder, managing director of Barclays Private Clients, said: "Although London and the South-East have much higher incomes than elsewhere, this must be put in the context of cost of living.

"For example, London salaries might be 50 per cent higher than those in the North, yet property prices are two or three times more expensive. So the question must be asked, who really is better off?"