A survey by the GMB union has shown that women make up more than half the workforce in many areas of Yorkshire and the Humberside.

In Bradford, the west of the district produced the best result with 54.4 per cent of workers women.

Next was Shipley with 50.3 per cent, then Bradford north with 45.5 per cent and followed by Bradford south with 43.9 per cent.

Pudsey had a figure of 54.2 per cent, in Skipton and Ripon it was 51.8 per cent and Batley and Spen came out with 45.5 per cent.

The highest level in Yorkshire and Humberside went to Sheffield Hallam, where women made up 63.1 per cent of the workforce.

A spokesman for the GMB said by fighting for equal pay and policies such as child care, economies could only gain from having more women working.