Oxford residents have been named as some of the keenest readers in the UK by a new study.

The research, conducted by bedroom retailer Feather & Black and OnePoll, surveyed 2,000 people and found Oxford ranked fourth in the UK, behind Cardiff, Aberystwyth, and Brighton and Hove, with Plymouth rounding out the top five.

The study also revealed the most popular book genres across the UK.

Mystery emerged as the nation's favourite, with 39 per cent of respondents choosing it as their top pick.

Detective novels followed closely with 36 per cent, while history, romance, and biography trailed behind at 25, 25, and 24 per cent, respectively.

Romance topped the reading list for younger generations, with 58 per cent of 18-24-year-olds and 43 per cent of 25-34-year-olds favouring the genre.

Mystery, meanwhile, was most popular among 35-44-year-olds, 45-55-year-olds, and 55-64-year-olds, with detective novels being the preferred choice for those aged 65 and above.

The study also highlighted the importance of a comfortable reading environment, with 69 per cent of respondents saying a comfortable chair is essential for a perfect reading nook.

Despite living in a digital age, 76 per cent of people preferred reading a physical book, with only 15 per cent opting for e-books.

Younger generations showed a greater preference for physical books, with 84 per cent of 18-24-year-olds favouring this method of reading, around 10 per cent more than older generations.