Carlisle has become one of the least happy cities in the UK

Levels of happiness in the city have dropped since last year to 7.16 - lower than the national average of 7.52.

The claim follows the results of the annual happiness survey from the Office for National Statistics for 2017/18.

Overall, 71 per cent of people in Carlisle ranked their happiness between seven and 10, meaning either high or very high, compared to 75.4 per cent in the UK.

The population in Carlisle appears to have become more stressed over the last year, with anxiety levels creeping up.

But happiness is a skill that individuals have to work on, said the city's laughter coach Keith Adams.

"Happiness is up to you, you have to work at it," he added.

"It's one of life's most important skills, but it's not given to you."

According to Mr Adams, 76, the falling levels of contentment may be linked to people feeling unhappy with national political events that dominate the news agenda.

But happiness can be found closer to home, he went on.

"There are lots of opportunities to help other people, which is an important part of happiness."

Those taking part in the survey were asked to rate four areas of their personal well-being including happiness, life satisfaction and sense of the things they do in life being worthwhile out of ten.

According to ONS research, people's views about their health, employment, and relationship status are the factors most likely to impact how they rate their personal well-being.

Bad health was the most significant factor associated with reports of poor well-being, followed by being economically inactive with a long-term illness or disability.

Disability charity Scope said employers' outdated attitudes and inflexible working practices were keeping disabled people out of work.

James Taylor, head of policy at Scope, said: "This needs to change. Government and employers need to all become disability game changers by challenging negative attitudes and tackling the many barriers disabled people face."

The ONS report noted that employment worries went beyond just having a job, and also concerned the quality of job security, wages and work-life balance.

It continued: "We know that well-being does not thrive in circumstances of great inequality.

"Reducing disparities in life expectancy and health, access to skills and education, good jobs and affordable homes should be an important priority for achieving inclusive growth in all areas."

Since the survey began in 2011-12 happiness in the UK has been increasing year-on-year but has slowed in recent years.

However, people in Carlisle have reported feeling less happy as the years go by.

This year's score was a drop from 2016-17, when happiness was at 7.62.

The results for life satisfaction and the feeling of being

Silvia Manclossi, head of the quality of life team at the ONS, said: "An important part of our work is looking beyond the economic health of the country to how its people are faring and inequalities in society.

"Today, for the first time, we have identified how factors such as health, access to services and crime levels may affect how people rate their well-being in different parts of the UK.

"This can help local authorities and other organisations to better understand where services could be targeted to help improve the well-being of people in their area."