The Kent neighbourhoods with the highest proportions of LGBTQ+ people have been revealed for the first time.

Figures produced following the last census reveal Canterbury has the highest percentage of residents identifying as a sexuality other than straight.

Six of the top 10 were wards in Kent's Cathedral city - with Canterbury central and Westgate having the most - while the remaining four were spread across Folkestone and Margate.

Across the county, more than 47,000 of those who responded to the census - which was carried out two years ago - were LGBTQ+.

Edd Withers, the chief executive of Kent Pride and founder of Canterbury Pride, expected to see the city top the list.

“It’s not a huge surprise to anyone to see it's quite high up on the rankings," he said.

"Obviously it's a very dynamic area with universities, so it has a lot of young people.

“The results across the whole of the UK show younger people are more likely to be LGBTQ+.

“Canterbury is also a very forward-thinking city. I founded Pride Canterbury in 2014 and when I did that it was because we knew there was a huge demand in the area.

“Kent as a county has a bad reputation for progressiveness and for LGBTQ+ acceptance, but I don’t think that is entirely fair.”

The 2021 census was the first to collect figures on sexual orientation and gender identity, meaning the data uncovers previously unknown details.

Almost 20,000 people across the Garden of England identified as either gay or lesbian and more than 6,000 as transgender.

About 1.4 million people in Kent filled in the question on sexual orientation, while just over 100,000 refused to respond.

Mr Withers believes some of those who decided not to answer the question may still be in the process of discovering their identities or unable to safely declare their sexual orientation.

“There's going to be large numbers of people who unfortunately felt they couldn’t tick the boxes that truly represented them - perhaps because they are still struggling with their sexuality or gender identity," he explained.

“So while these are great statistics it is never going to be completely accurate as long as people are still afraid to be who they really are.

“For some people, putting their identity down on paper can be quite a significant step, so I’m not surprised that a lot of people decided not to take that step this time around.”

Canterbury, Thanet and Dover were the districts with the highest proportions of lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

Meanwhile, analysis shows Dartford, Tonbridge and Malling and Sevenoaks had the lowest percentages.

ONS director Jen Woolford says the census figures - which were released earlier this month - are “crucial” and will give "decision-makers the best information to better understand" their communities.

“This is just the first snapshot," she added.

"In future analysis we will be exploring sexual orientation and gender identity by key demographic variables, such as age and sex, as well as employment, health, education and ethnicity.”

Gravesham, Canterbury and Dartford were the districts with the highest proportions of transgender people.

Stonewall chief executive Nancy Kelley says the publication of data on sexual orientation and gender identity “means our country knows itself a little better”.

“For the past 200 years of data gathering through our national census, LGBTQ+ people have been invisible, with the stories of our communities, our diversity, and our lives missing from the national record," she stated.

“This is a historic step and it finally paints an accurate picture of the diverse ‘rainbow Britain’ that we now live in, where more and more of us are proud to be who we are.”