WARRINGTON South is the second most entrepreneurial constituency outside of London according to a new report.

Red Flag Alert’s Entrepreneurial Hotspots of the UK measured the number of new businesses set up in each parliamentary constituency across the country – other than those in the capital – in 2018 and compared them to the area’s population.

And, per head, Warrington South had the second highest rate of start-up companies.

In total, 5,339 new businesses were set up in the south of the town last year – 64 for every 1,000 residents when compared to its 83,127 population.

It ranked only behind Birmingham Ladywood, which had 134 new companies per 1,000 people.

Other constituencies featuring in the top 10 behind Warrington South included Manchester Central, Liverpool Riverside and Altrincham and Sale West.

And it only ranked below five parts of London.

Red Flag Alert managing director Mark Halstead said: “Warrington South has world class professional services on its doorstep and excellent transport links.

“Major investment and initiatives to encourage new businesses to start in the area is paying dividends.

“The public sector has worked well with the private sector to create a hotbed of entrepreneurial talent.

“Lifestyle is also a key factor which influences the choice of location for entrepreneurs.

“Younger entrepreneurs in particular are less enticed by big cities and more by amenities, culture and quality of life – Warrington South benefits from being strategically placed between two large cities in Manchester and Liverpool.

“Warrington itself has seen major business growth in recent years, particularly in the science and tech sectors.

“The Sci-Tech Daresbury campus in particular has been crucial to the growth of these sectors, and it is recognised as one of the fastest growing science parks in Europe.”