Richmond residents are the most active on mainland England, according to a survey by the agency that develops community sport in this country.

Sport England questioned 1,000 people in each of England's 355 boroughs and discovered that in Richmond upon Thames 31 per cent of residents take regular exercise.

That placed the borough second only to the Isles of Scilly when it comes to regular physical exercise and ahead of any other borough on the mainland.

Coun John Coombs, Richmond upon Thames Council cabinet member for sport said: "At a time when the health of the nation is causing so much concern this is really good news. Richmond upon Thames has a great physical culture tradition ranging from gentle walking in our beautiful parks and along the river to full-blown competitive sports participation. The work carried out by our sports and fitness service in supporting local people and enabling them to become involved in all sorts of healthy activities has been important."

Andy Sutch, chairman of Sport Richmond, said: "This is a great result for our borough. It is encouraging so many people are involved as participants and also as volunteers in sport and active recreation.

"The local authority, in the form of leisure services has been increasingly supportive in helping with funding, providing expert advice and helping to promote activities aimed to increase club membership.

"While programmes like the council's Competitive Edge initiative are vital, if we are to ensure tomorrow's adults have the correct habits to maintain active healthy lifestyles, we must also ensure older members of the community, people with disabilities and the disadvantaged have an opportunity to take part."