The overwhelming majority of children in the UK are happy, according to an official report.

More than four in five young people aged between 10 and 24 say they are happy with their lives, in research published to mark World Mental Health Day today

The Government’s first State of the Nation report says friendship, school and a good night’s sleep are key factors in a young person’s happiness.

In the study children and young people rated their family and friends, health, school and their appearance as most important.

Bullying, including cyberbullying, remains a key reason for unhappiness or poor wellbeing, especially among teenage girls.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said the new compulsory health and relationships education in schools will teach pupils from an early age how to build their resilience, notice changes in their wellbeing and how to form healthy relationships.

He said professional mental health support was being boosted so that problems could be dealt with quickly.

'It’s encouraging that the overwhelming majority of children say they are happy, but we have a responsibility to do better for those that aren’t,’ Mr Williamson said.

'We have given teachers the power to tackle bad behaviour like bullying so that school is a safe place for every child to thrive, but today’s report helps shine a light on where to focus these efforts.'