IF YOU want friendly neighbours, head north and avoid London and the sour southern counties, new research has suggested.

People in Lancashire emerged as having high levels of ‘agreeableness’, reflecting traits such as friendliness, co-operation, kindness and trust.

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The online survey of 400,000 Britons highlighted big personality differences between regions, and confirmed the widely-held view that friendlier folk are found up north.

This was true of East Lancashire and other northerners, as well as residents in pockets of East Anglia and the South West.

People in Blackburn yesterday agreed with the findings. Pauline Harrison, 74, from Highercroft, said: “You should never be too busy or rushed to be able to smile and say hello.”

Shelia Starkie, 63, from Livesey Branch Road, said: “One of the best things about living in Blackburn is that folk look after one another.”

Delroy Chung, 69, has lived in Blackburn for 10 years but is from North London.

He said: “I used to have a driving job delivering nationwide and I’d say that once you got north of Birmingham people were friendlier and happier.”

Barbara Haggart, 64, from Highercroft, said: “I moved down to Blackburn from Scotland for my husband’s job in 1989 and found the people here just as friendly as my fellow Scots.

“Neighbours will offer you a cup of tea and pop into each others houses.”

Researcher Dr Jason Rentfrow, from Cambridge University, said: “Geographical differences are associated with a range of economic, social and health outcomes.

“We can develop an accurate snapshot of the psychology of the nation.”

Eileen Grimshaw, 56, of Lytham Road, said: “I’m a proud Lancastrian and proud of my neighbourhood. People make sure the others around them are looked after.”

Karen Benson, 54, of Roman Road, said: “If I see a stranger is on the street I smile at them.”

Carrie Nestor, co-ordinator for Friends for Life in Blackburn, said: “It’s a generational thing that Northerners are more friendly.”