GAMBLERS fancying a flutter but unable to find a bookmaker may want to head for Hartlepool.

The town has the highest concentration of betting shops in the country - one for every 3,604 residents.

In contrast, accountants are thin on the ground in Durham, with half the national average.

The figures were revealed yesterday in a trade map of Britain.

The map was drawn up by Barclays to show the spread of trades and services.

Researchers found that anyone dying in Darlington should be taken good care of, because the town has the highest proportion of undertakers in the country.

But there is no excuse for passing away with bad teeth - Darlington also has almost three times the average number of dentists.

Elsewhere in the region, Middlesbrough has the highest concentration of takeaways and chemists - both more than three times the national average.

Few people will be surprised to know that York, which attracts four million visitors a year, has the country's highest proportion of hotels - five times the national average.

The city also has five times the average number of bed and breakfasts. Only Blackpool and the Isle of Wight have a higher concentration.

Anyone wanting a haircut could do worse that making their way to Durham or Gateshead.

Both have twice the national average.

Gateshead residents fancying a drink after their haircut should have no trouble finding a pub.

The town has the highest proportion in the country - one for every 850 residents.

Meanwhile, househunters in Sunderland may find a limited choice of estate agents.

The city has less than half the national average. Only Great Yarmouth, in Norfolk, has fewer.

Researchers looked at 600,000 small businesses nationwide to draw up the map.

John Davis, from Barclays, said: "These small businesses are responsible for in excess of 50 per cent of the UK's GDP and, without them, the country would just grind to a halt."