Glasgow suburb tops rich list

Thorntonhall, home to celebrities such as Celtic footballer Chris Sutton, has 13% of households earning more than £100,000 a year.

The suburb south of Glasgow is equal first and beats London's wealthiest area Hampstead, according to the research by market researchers CACI Information Services.

The news will further emphasise the city's recent change of fortunes after a long-held image of poverty and decline.

The leafy and rolling Glasgow suburb is about 20 minutes drive from the city centre, which has been regenerated since being named European City of Culture in 1990.

In terms of numbers earning six figures, Thorntonhall is matched only by part of Fleet in Hampshire, although in terms of average income, neither makes the top ten.

Drew King, of South Lanarkshire Council, told BBC News Online: "This does not come as a surprise to us because it has been a very desirable area for business people and professionals.

"It seems to have attracted a kind of showbiz and football element.

Extreme poverty

"It's in such great demand and something like this will put it in even bigger demand."

Britain's poorest postcode is Newcastle NE17, where 68% of households earn less than £10,000.

Parts of Leeds, Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Bradford have the next highest concentrations of extreme poverty, by postcode sector.

Top Five Income Postcodes
CR83 Purley, S London
KT245 Effingham, Surrey
NW37 Hampstead, N London
WD34 Chandlers Cross, Herts
WD77 Radlett, Herts

Average income for the whole of Britain last year was £26,200, a 12.5% increase since 2000 and a 34% increase since 1996.

Some 1.5% of all UK households have incomes higher than £100,000, according to the survey, called Wealth of the Nations 2002.

Purley in Croydon, South London, had the highest average income of £53,900, followed by Effingham in Surrey and Hampstead.

The lowest incomes were Newport Road, Middlesbrough with £11,600, followed by Portrack Lane in Stockton-on-Tees and Wilson Street in Middlesbrough.

Postcodes were analysed by postcode sector - the area included in the first part of the postcode and the first number.