Was 1976 the best year ever?

Science has uncovered the true meaning of happiness - and the answer is 1976.

It was the year that gave us Multi-Coloured Swapshop with Noel Edmonds, the first Rocky film and No.1 hits from Abba and Demis Roussos.

Forget hyper-inflation and Harold Wilson's surprise resignation as Prime Minister - the summer was a scorcher.

Little wonder then, that Prof Tim Jackson has concluded that 1976 amounted to the 12 months when Britons felt happiest.

Using his own 'measure of domestic progress' - which combines financial, social and environmental data - the Surrey University academic reckons 28 years ago was as good as it gets.

Factors such as family breakdowns and greenhouse gas emissions were low, while community spirit was high.

The new way of assessing quality of life is better than traditional methods such as gross domestic product, said Prof Jackson. 'We are doing better in terms of high street spending but other bits are just as important,' he added.