WINCHESTER has more female business directors than ever before.

Between January and March this year 32 per cent of the city’s directors were women, putting Winchester ahead of the UK average of 26 per cent during that period.

According to the research by business website Duport.co.uk the number rose by eight per cent from the beginning of 2013.

The study also found a five per cent rise in new companies and that there were 18 per cent fewer business closures.