More companies were registered in Bucks last year than in any year previously, according to new figures.

There were 8,249 new companies formed in the county in 2015, representing an overall growth of 5.6 per cent from the previous year.

Bucks was the 16th highest county in the country, ahead of Oxfordshire (4,611) but behind Berkshire (9,135) and Hertfordshire (14,575).

Bucks also saw more new businesses set up per 1,000 people - 10.9 - than the national average of 9.7.

Henry Catchpole, managing director of Inform Direct who compiled the data, said: “Buckinghamshire has had a very successful year and the figures indicate a surge in entrepreneurialism in 2015 for this region.

“Our dynamic economy and business-friendly environment are the reasons there is a ‘Great’ in Great Britain."

In the Chilterns, the Amersham-on-the-Hill ward saw the biggest net business change in the district with 63 more businesses being set up than closed down. Whereas Chesham Bois and Weedon Hill saw ten more dissolve than start up.

In South Bucks, Gerrards Cross saw the biggest business change (91) and in the Wycombe district Abbey (101) was the front runner.

Mr Catchpole added: “All around the world, governments are spending time and money to figure out the best way to foster an entrepreneurial culture that helps boost the economy.

“But here in the UK, our politicians can nurture this business mentality that has established itself organically.

“Of course London has always stormed ahead in business but our figures from 2015 demonstrate that the rest of the UK is also displaying a growing confidence in entrepreneurialism."

Of the 8,249 new companies started in Bucks in 2015, 970 were in the Chilterns, 1,081 in South Bucks and 1,663 in Wycombe, giving a total of 59,305 firms registered in the county at the end of 2015.

To see a more detailed picture of company formations in Bucks – including a full ward breakdown - visit www.informdirect.co.uk/company-formations-2015/buckinghamshire/.