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Cakemaker names Newcastle 'gloomiest city'

Geordies are the most miserable people in the country, according to the results of a new survey. Almost half of the people living in Newcastle upon Tyne are not happy with their financial situation, and a third are dissatisfied at work. A quarter of Geordies feel their social lives are not up to scratch, and a fifth are even down in the dumps about their partner.

Cardiff, Birmingham, Swansea and Leeds followed Newcastle in the list of the top five most miserable places in the UK, compiled (bizarrely) by cake manufacturer Mr Kipling.

Bristol was the happiest city, with a third of residents very happy with their lives. Wolverhampton’s residents were the next most content, followed by York, Plymouth and Sheffield.

Across the UK, just 29 per cent of people said they were satisfied with their financial situation.

A Mr Kipling spokesman said: “It’s surprising to see that Newcastle folk are the unhappiest in the UK as they are renowned for being happy-go-lucky and enjoying life to the full. But unemployment rates in the North-East of England are rising and Northern Rock, which has its headquarters in the city, has had a particularly bad year.”

Most Britons are apparently easily cheered up, and said that a nice message from a loved one was most guaranteed to do the job. Freshly-warmed sheets, waking up on a sunny morning and having a quiet moment to oneself were also rated highly. Presumably cakes featured in the list too, but we don’t know exactly where…

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .