North West Leicestershire is leading the way when it comes to gardens, new figures show.

More than nine in 10 homes in our area have access to a garden or private outdoor space – beating the national average.

Mental health charity Mind says spending time outdoors during the coronavirus crisis can be an important way to boost our mood, help manage mental health problems, and improve our physical well-being.

Office for National Statistics figures show that many households across Britain have been living without access to gardens during the lockdown.

But in North West Leicestershire, 91 per cent of households have a private garden, balcony or patio – higher than the national average of 88 per cent.

While most people are now allowed outdoors for unlimited exercise, people who are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 are still shielding themselves at home.

The Resolution Foundation think-tank says the lockdown has 'brought to the fore a whole range of housing-related inequalities', including insecurity for renters, overcrowding, and a lack of access to gardens and green spaces.

Principal research and policy analyst Lindsay Judge said: "Post-pandemic we need to ensure that housing policy focuses on quality and security, as well as quantity.

"That should mean homes – and housing contracts – that are fit for all types of families."

According to the ONS, older people and those in managerial or other white-collar occupations are also more likely to have a garden than younger people or manual workers.

Nationally, the area with the fewest homes without gardens is South Tyneside, Tyne and Wear,, where only three per cent of residents go without.

At the other end of the scale is City of London, where 93 per cent of properties lack outdoor space.

The figures also reveal that the average North West Leicestershire garden is 352.8 square metres – bigger than the national average of 332.7.

Even with lockdown restrictions now eased slightly, Mind says some people may find it difficult to get outside as they feel low or unmotivated, or are worried about being near other people.

"However, there are lots of ways that we can overcome these barriers," a spokesman said.

"We can start by bringing the nature into our homes by simply sitting by an open window, taking in the sounds, smells, and views.

"Buying a plant or seeds to grow inside or in the garden can also help us become familiar with nature."