OXFORD women are the fifth most 'body confident' in the UK according to a national survey of 2,000 women.

The study conducted by Veet hair removal found that 55 per cent of women in the city had the least amount of hang ups about their bodies.

Newcastle, meanwhile, scored the highest of any UK city with 60 per cent of women saying they were more than happy and confident in the way they look and feel.

Also making the top five according to the study, with over half of women enjoying body confidence were Brighton, Sheffield and Cambridge.

Norwich, Leeds and Leicester also featured in the top ten along with Cardiff and Birmingham.

However, the research showed that as a nation only 26 per cent of women are truly happy with their bodies.

Marian Gual, Category Manager Personal Care from Veet said of the study: "While it's great to see that those in Newcastle, Brighton and Sheffield are comfortable in their own skin, we feel that there is always room for improvement and want to help women across the UK take ownership and pride in their bodies."

Overall, being happy was what the women surveyed said was most important to them at 54 per cent, followed by being healthy at 41 percent, while only one in twenty said looking good was the most important thing to them.

The study found two-thirds (66 percent) of respondents said you are more likely to love your body if your partner constantly tells you how gorgeous you are.

And a third felt you gain more body confidence the older you get.

The top ten in full:

1. Newcastle (60 percent)
2. Brighton (57 percent)
3. Sheffield (56 percent)
4. Cambridge (55 percent)
5. Oxford (55 percent)
6. Norwich (54 percent)
7. Leeds (54 percent)
8. Leicester (53 percent)
9. Cardiff (51 percent)
10. Birmingham (47 percent)