Carlisle has seen a surge in its happiness...

And for a cheerful confirmation of that recent survey result, you need look no further than pensioner Evelyn Hillier who, since moving to the city from the south in 2008, has found perfect contentment.

"It's a fabulous place," said Evelyn, 66, who can regularly be seen riding into the city centre on her mobility scooter.

Indeed, Evelyn, from Charlotte Street, Denton Holme, is so thrilled with the place that she has placed a placard on the back of her scooter, telling the world: Carlisle makes me smile.

She said: "I don't think you could find a happier, friendlier, more caring place than Carlisle.

"You see so many people smiling; and walking around, holding hands. They're always smiling.

"When you go into shops the staff are polite and friendly and they say thank you even if you don't buy anything. They're really, really polite.

"I honestly don't think I'd want to live anywhere else."

"Nowhere else could make me happier than Carlisle does," Evelyn added.

"Ever since I moved here, I can't stop smiling."

In September, an official government survey gave a snapshot of happiness levels across Cumbria.

It claimed that residents in Allerdale and South Lakeland were generally less content last year than they had been the year before, while those in Carlisle, Barrow, Copeland and Eden were more cheerful.

Compiled by the Office for National Statistics, the survey covered the years when UK citizens went to the polls over Brexit and as Cumbria coped with the aftermath of Storm Desmond in December 2015.

Barrovians become steadily happier over the period in question.

In 2014/15 residents there gave their happiness level a score of 7.2 out of 10, but this rose to 7.5 the following year and hit 7.7 in 2016/17. Copeland scored 7.6 in 2014/15 but 7.7 last year.

The data shows Carlisle scored 7.3 out of 10 in 2014/15 and 2015/16 before rising to 7.8 last year.

Those in Allerdale showed the reverse - scoring themselves as 8.1 out of 10 two years ago but remained at 7.6 last year.

And Eden is now a gleeful eight out of 10 - up from 7.5 two years ago.

Carlisle based laughter therapist Keith Adams said being happy and feeling positive was one of the most vital components of life.

"Feeling happy is so important, but not just to you as an individual but also the people around you," he said.

In 2012, a survey by Rightmove concluded that Carlisle was the happiest place in Britain.