THE Geordie accent has been named as the coolest regional twang in England in a new survey.

Two thousand members of the public were polled in the study by CoolBrands.

Having no regional accent was judged to be the best way to speak, with received pronunciation - "the Queen's English" - winning 20 per cent of respondents favour.

The Scottish accent was named as the UK's second coolest accent, backed by 12 per cent of people polled.

Meanwhile the Geordie accent, with nine per cent of the vote, emerged as the coolest regional accent in England. The Yorkshire accent was the joint second coolest, tied with the Cockney accent on seven per cent.

Stephen Cheliotis, chief executive of The Centre for Brand Analysis, and chairman of the CoolBrands council, said of the Geordie accent's popularity: "The North East's geographical isolation from London makes it a very distinctive accent and one that has a definite cool factor.

"The Geordies have traditionally being known for their friendliness and warmth - this is something that still holds true."

He said that "civic pride" in Newcastle's development has led to a strengthening of the accent - it has come a long way since "Auf Wiedersehen, Pet".

Pop star Cheryl Cole has also proven that the Geordie accent can be "really sexy", he added.

The Birmingham accent was named the least cool in the UK.