Canterbury has the highest rate of internet use in the country, according to a new study.

It found the city had the most number of visits to websites per head of population measured over a 12-week period earlier this year.

The large proportion of students in Canterbury is a major factor in its status as a digital hotspot.

But the city also has a large number of older people who use the internet - the so-called silver surfer generation.

The study was conducted out by Experian Hitwise, an online information company, and carried out between July and September.

Robin Goad, research director for Experian Hitwise, said: "Kent is generally a pretty internet savvy county and there's a number of reasons why Canterbury scored highly.

"Firstly, there's the high student population in Canterbury. Obviously, students and younger professionals are big users of the internet.

"There's also a relatively large older population in Canterbury. The silver surfer population is very active in the city."

Further analysis in the study concluded that 1.44 per cent of all UK internet usage comes from the Canterbury, with 60 per cent of students and young single people using it every day.

Older users in the city belong to a group which strong roots to the area, are mainly in their 60s and have grandchildren.

They tend to use the internet to look at websites for bingo, yachting, fishing and golf.

Mr Goad added: "The internet is now so popular in the UK that it is impossible to define a 'typical internet user'.

"For some, the web is a channel for entertainment and communication, while for others it is the place where they shop and manage their finances.

"The popularity of these and other online activities varies from town to town across the UK, according to the local population.

"With the growing popularity of localised internet services it is vital for brands to understand the services that will appeal most in local areas."

The places with least internet usage per population were Sunderland, Motherwell and Belfast.