NOT one local authority in the York, North or East Yorkshire area can claim to be among Britain's richest, a new survey has revealed.

Surprising results from NatWest reveal that, despite the region's claims to be a thriving business and property centre, none of its cities or towns rank among the seriously affluent.

In fact the survey, which breaks down the country by local authority to uncover the richest districts looking at households that have an income of more than £100,000, reveals that the traditional North-South divide is still very much alive.

Thirty-three of the 40 richest local authorities with the greatest number of super-wealthy households were in the south of England, the survey claimed.

There was no mention in the top 60 for either York or Harrogate, both traditionally considered well-off areas.

Back in May, the Evening Press reported how York was a thriving area named as the most profitable place for business in Britain.

Figures from the annual Key British Enterprises survey put 85 per cent of York's top businesses in profit.

Harrogate was also in the top ten, surging from 31st on the previous year to sixth on the list.

Council chiefs hailed York as a city which "works on all levels - for visitors, residents and businesses".

Last month, the city's booming housing market reached a major milestone when its first £1 million apartment - in the Merchant Exchange development, off Bridge Street - went on sale.

Updated: 11:31 Monday, July 01, 2002