FOUR times more patents were granted in the Vale of White Horse compared to the rest of the country, according to new research.

The Vale also made the top 10 for dynamism and opportunity,in Grant Thornton’s Vibrant Economy Index.

The research, which ranks local authorities on social and economic factors, put Oxford second , behind Cambridge.

Oxford took the top spot in community trust and belonging and also had double the national average of high-skilled people, defined as NVQ level 4 or above.

Grant Thornton practice leader Jim Rogers said: “It’s great to see Oxford scoring highly”