A Sheffield suburb has been named as the wealthiest place in England outside London and the south east.

A survey by Barclays has found that nearly 8% of people in the Sheffield Hallam constituency earn more than �60,000 a year.

This puts it in 17th place in the top 20 of most affluent places ahead of traditionally wealthy areas such as Twickenham and Windsor.

The only other district outside the south east in the top 20 is the Tatton constituency in Cheshire.

The 10 most affluent areas

Kensington & Chelsea Beaconsfield Richmond Park London and Westminster Maidenhead Hampstead & Highgate SW Surrey Esher & Walton NE Hampshire Mole Valley

Gordon Rankin of Barclays said: "It may surprise some people that a suburb of Sheffield has so many high income earners.

"However, Sheffield is a big urban centre attracting many professionals and business people."

The local MP Richard Allen said he was not surprised at Hallam's wealth.

"There are two very successful universities in the area and a large number of senior staff live in the constituency. There is also a hospital trust there," said the Liberal Democrat MP.

Good schools

"The area is green, there are good schools and houses and the houses cost a fraction of what they do down south."

Dr Bob Purdy, who moved to the area in 1988 because of the schools, was also not surprised by the ranking.

The GP, who has three children, said: "I like Hallam because it is very leafy and there are lots of solid, Victorian family houses. People are attracted by the moors and beautiful countryside located so close by.

"The area is a bit of a middle-class academic ghetto, most people from the universities live here."