The average salary in Britain has increased by 21 per cent to more than £31,000 in five years, according to a new survey by the Halifax, and people in Shepway have seen some of the fastest rising salaries in the country.

Salaries for full-time workers across the country have increased by £5,561, from £25,939 in 2003 to £31,500 today.

Shepway saw the third fastest rise in the country behind Thanet and Havering in London.

Those working on the Isle of Thanet have seen their annual pay packet grow 60 per cent from £18,769 in 2003 to today's figure of £29,956.

Workers in Havering in London recorded the second highest growth rate, 55 per cent, followed by Shepway with 47 per cent.

But when it comes to actual earnings, workers in the city of London top the list with average annual salaries of £82,084, according to the survey.

However, there are vast regional differences.

Martin Ellis, chief economist at Halifax, said: "Average earnings in Great Britain have risen by more than retail prices over the past five years, indicating an increase in living standards for the typical worker.

"The biggest rises have been concentrated in a fairly limited number of local authorities in southern England."