18 October 2010 Last updated at 03:16 ET

Newcastle named UK's top 'green city'

Newcastle been named as Britain's greenest city for the second year running in a study examining quality of life and environmental awareness.

Moves to install electric vehicle charging points and its support of clean technology firms were highlighted by the Sustainable Cities Index.

Newcastle came top of a league of 20 cities including Leicester, Brighton, Bristol and London.

Hull remains bottom of the league for the third year in the row.

Britain's Top 10 green cities

• Newcastle
• Leicester
• Brighton
• Bristol
• London
• Leeds
• Coventry
• Plymouth
• Edinburgh
• Sheffield

Leicester has undergone a transformation from 14th place four years ago to second place in the 2010 league.

According to the index, the five top-placed cities have set themselves ambitious targets and have long-term visions of how to improve life for residents by reducing their environmental impact and creating new opportunities in the green economy.

Nottingham suffered the biggest fall in the table, dropping four places to 12th.

Hull came last for employment and was near the bottom for business start-ups

Peter Madden, chief executive of Forum for the Future, which runs the league, said: "Cities are having to count every penny so it's essential that they invest wisely for long-term success.

"Leaders like Newcastle and Leicester are developing plans to run services in smarter ways, tackle challenges like climate change and secure the jobs of the future."

Barry Rowland, chief executive of Newcastle City Council, said: "Sustainability is right at the top of our agenda, and we intend to keep it there."