Twentysomethings invade!

London is in the middle of an invasion by twentysomethings drawn to the capital by the prospect of a big salary and a hectic social life.

So many of them are leaving the provinces that the face of London has radically altered and many districts have a disproportionate number of younger people, research shows.

In the City of London, Camden and Tower Hamlets, the proportion of twentysomethings has risen to 13 per cent, while it has fallen by 1.7 per cent to 6.6 per cent across Britain as a whole.

In Wandsworth, 16 per cent of residents are aged 25 to 29. The influx of young people in some parts of London is up by 4.8 per cent in ten years.

The magnetic effect of London is shown in an analysis of the latest census by geographer Bethan Thomas and Prof Daniel Dorling, of Sheffield University. They found the evolving economy and sweeping demographic changes accelerated the drift of young people to London.

Prof Dorling said: 'The main story is London. The top 12 districts, each with over a tenth of their populations at these ages, are all boroughs in the capital. Of the next 12, a majority are in London and the rest are in easy commuting distance.'