Edinburgh has been named 2016 British Entrepreneurial City of the Year, beating Cambridge, Leeds, London and Manchester to the title.

The Scottish capital was judged in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards on four key criteria: quality of life that attracts smart, entrepreneurial people; access to capital and talent; start-up eco-systems; and access to mentors and support networks.

Gavin Barrie, Edinburgh Council Economy Convener, said: “I’m delighted that Edinburgh has won yet another top business award, this time being recognised as a key centre for entrepreneurship.

“It has one of Europe’s most vibrant entrepreneurial support eco-systems, ranging from Scotland’s top-performing start-up businesses through to world-class universities promoting innovation and commercialisation.

“The strongest community of ‘business angel’ investors and venture capitalists per head of population in Europe is also located here, while Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce spearheads Scotland’s most comprehensive mentor matching programme.”

However, according to the chairman of the Scottish Property Federation, Edinburgh has a lack of both suitable office space and workers to build on its standing as a location for globally recognised high-tech firms.