Sunderland named 'sexiest city' in the UK after spending the most on sex toys during coronavirus lockdown

People living in Sunderland spent more money on sex toys and lingerie in lockdown than any other region in the UK, a poll suggests.

According to erotic gift seller Lovehoney, the number of adult accessories bought in the city rose by 82 per cent.

Areas in Scotland had the second and third biggest spending, with sex toy purchasing increasing by 80 per cent in Paisley and 78 per cent in Dumfries. At the other end of the scale, the Outer Hebrides and the Shetland Islands spent the least under lockdown, followed by Guernsey, Perth and Guildford.

MTV star Charlotte Crosby, who grew up in Sunderland, said: "I always knew Mackems were the most passionate."

Lovehoney analysed spending habits in 1,800 locations to discover how lockdown affected the UK's sex habits.

A spokesman said: “Sunderland is the UK’s sexiest place with the biggest rise in sexual activity since lockdown.

“We have seen a huge surge in activity on Wearside as singles and couples look to escape the pressures of lockdown by experimenting more sexually.

“All our data shows that couples with great sex lives enjoy higher overall levels of happiness."

Famous people from Sunderland include ex-Geordie Shore star Ms Crosby, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, singer Emeli Sandé and presenter Lauren Laverne.

Ms Crosby added: “I always knew Mackems were the most passionate - now here’s the proof! Ha’way the lads and lasses of Sunderland - they are proper canny!

“You’ve only got to look at the list of famous people who come from Sunderland to know that we have always punched massively above our weight as a city."

The top 20 places were listed as:

1. Sunderland

2. Paisley

3. Dumfries

4. Belfast

5. Dudley

6. South-West London

7. Blackburn

8. Glasgow

9. Wigan

10. Newport

11. Blackpool

12. Ilford

13. Preston

14. Bolton

15. Croydon

16. Wakefield

17. East London

18. Sutton

19. Walsall

20. Cleveland

The bottom 10 places were listed as:

1. Outer Hebrides

2. Shetland Islands

3. Guernsey

4. Perth

5. Guildford

6. York

7. Kirkwall in Orkney

8. Slough

9. Watford

10. St Albans