Tens of thousands of people have moved out of cities such as Manchester and Nottingham seeking better lives in small towns and villages

Tens of thousands of city-dwellers are opting for a new start in the countryside or in market towns, an analysis carried out for The Times has revealed.

Last year there was a net outflow of residents in 12 of the biggest 15 cities in England and Wales, with the biggest beneficiaries being provincial towns that offer greater affordability and a better lifestyle.

The widespread exodus suggests that a lack of housing affordability is only one factor of many that motivates people to leave cities, because some urban areas with population declines are actually among Britain’s most affordable.

Greater London had the biggest net outflow of any city, with 103,230 more residents leaving than arriving — 12 in every 1,000. However, analysts were surprised by the