PEOPLE from Swindon eat more sausages than almost anyone else in the south of England.

On average, a Swindonian will eat 4.2 sausages every week that is almost 220 each year.

And although the 'Banger Map of Britain', produced by supermarket Tesco, indicates those from the south eat fewer than those in the north, Swindon still ranks 12th nationally.

Hungry Newcastle diners top the poll, eating just over nine sausages each every week.

Edinburgh comes a close second with 8.8, followed by Carlisle with 8.3 and Manchester with 8.2.

Butchers from the Swindon area are unsurprised by the results of the poll. Stuart Hart, of Michael Hart butchers in Cricklade, says his family have been making and selling bangers in the town for 19 years and they are as popular as ever.

"Bangers are a good wholesome meal that's not too expensive," he said.

"We have around ten varieties available at any one time. Plain pork is still the most popular, although most people do want to try different types."

The award-winning shop regularly produces chilli and Thai sausages, and has even minced-up crocodile and ostrich meat for more adventurous diners.

Helen Browning runs organic Eastbrook Farm in Bishopstone, near Swindon, and thinks that sausages have become more popular because their quality has risen.

She said: "People used to be worried about what was in sausages. But now that more 'quality' sausages are available customers are starting to realize that they are the ultimate convenience food."

More sausages were sold nationally last year than ever before, and the British banger market is now worth £357million annually.

Tesco says that the most obvious change in the expanding market has been rise of the exotic sausage, although most people are still pork-loving traditionalists.

Sausage category manager, Matt Simister, said: "In our view, British sausages are now the best in the world."

The survey also found that Suffolk had the most adventurous sausage eaters, consuming more expensive and exotic bangers than anyone else.

Health-conscious shoppers in Cardiff prefer low-fat bangers, while Aberdeen Angus beef sausages go down well in Watford.