Castle Point is one of the worst places for women to live in the UK, according to a new study.

The researchers’ analysis looked at issues like the gender pay gap, female life expectancy, the proportion of older women living alone and women's unemployment, taking data from the Office for National Statistics and the 2011 census.

Out of 380 local authorities across the country, the borough ranked as third worst in Essex with a ranking of 315.

Tendring was the worst in the county at 342 and Thurrock was second worst at 320.

The best place to be live as a women in Essex is Uttlesford which ranked 36th in the country, closely followed by Maldon at 39th.

While Brentwood ranked 112th in the country and fifth in Essex, the study revealed that it was the best place to be a female earner in the whole of Britain.

The gender pay gap in Brentwood was recorded at just one per cent - the lowest in the country.

The study, which was conducted by National Centre for Social Research for BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, looked at issues like the gender pay gap, female life expectancy, the proportion of older women living alone and women's unemployment.

Researchers took data from the Office for National Statistics and the 2011 census.

In south Essex, Brentwood scored the best closely followed by Rochford at 158.

Southend was the next best at 216 while Basildon came in ranked at 227.

Of the 380 local authorities analysed, East Dunbartonshire came out top for women, rating highly on a number of factors, from happiness to access to green spaces - and top-scoring on general living and wellbeing.

Islington has been rated the worst place to be a woman in Britain, with three other London boroughs all ranking in the bottom 10.

The City of London, Westminster and Camden were all found to be among the worst local authority areas for women to live, according to the new study which was published today.