The Cotswolds is leading the way on the national rollout of electric vehicle charging points, figures reveal.

There were 42 public charging points in the Cotswolds at the start of January, according to figures from the Department for Transport.

That is a rate of 47 per 100,000 people, higher than the UK average of 31.

Since October 2019 – when figures began at a local authority level – the Cotswolds has seen nine devices added to its supply.

Meanwhile, across the UK, an additional 5,700 devices were made available over the same period, taking the total number up to 20,800 at the start of this year.

In a bid to further boost numbers, transport minister Grant Shapps announced an extra £20 million was to be made available for local authorities.

Mr Shapps said the extra £20 million cash for local authorities will see the doubling of 4,000 on-street electric vehicle charging points already funded by the Government.

He said: "With a world-leading charging network, we're making it easier for people to switch to electric vehicles, creating healthier neighbourhoods and cleaning up our air as we build back greener."

Electric cars have surged in popularity with manufacturers currently supplying a record number.

There were 860 electric vehicles licensed to addresses in the Cotswolds at the end of September 2020, according to latest DfT data – up by 29% from 668 in September 2019.

In November, Prime Minister Boris Johnson brought forward the ban on petrol car sales from 2040 to 2030 as part of a "green industrial revolution" to tackle climate change.

A DfT spokesperson said: "This Government has committed £1.3 billion to rolling out charging infrastructure, and we would urge councils to use the funding we have made available to ensure their residents can access charge points.

"We have already supported the installation of more than 150,000 residential and almost 21,000 public charge points, and with further funding announced last week, even more people are set to benefit from better charge point access."