Children growing up in cities are nearly four times more lonely than their countryside peers, the first official study of its kind has revealed.

Some 19.5% of children living in a city reported “often” feeling lonely compared to just over 5% of those living in either towns or rural areas, the research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found.

Experts suggested it could be linked to greater urban deprivation with 27.5% of children receiving free school meals saying they were often lonely compared with 5.5% who were not entitled to the benefit.

Urban isolation could also be a factor as parents and children were more hesitant about letting children out on their own. Children with health problems or poor relationships with friends and family were also more likely to feel lonely.