260,000 join the rush to quit London

More than 260,000 people left London in a single year to live in other parts of the country, figures reveal today.

The research shows that while 152,500 people came to live in the capital from other parts of Britain in 2003, 262,900 left - a net exodus of more than 110,000.

It indicates that the middleclass flight from the capital continues unabated. The most popular destinations were the South-West, Wales, East Anglia and the East Midlands.

However, the total population of London is still growing because of migration from abroad.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics are based on where people have registered with doctors.

North-west London suffered the biggest outflow, with a net 32,000 leaving. South-west London lost the fewest residents. The trend is starkest among families, with a net loss of 33,600 children under 15, and 66,200 adults aged between 30 and 59.

The "downshifting" phenomenon is believed to be driven by families' desire to escape crime, stress, overcrowding and pollution in London.

South-West England saw a net influx of 32,800 people - the majority adults in the child-rearing age group rather than pensioners looking to retire. The second most favoured region was the East Midlands, including Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire.