FINANCE firm Deloitte has ranked the North-East as the second-best place to do business in the UK.

According to a report by the firm, the UK is ranked the sixth most competitive place to do business among 25 world economies.

Business leaders said the East Midlands was the best place to do business in the UK, followed by the North-East and the South-East. Deloitte said the UK's regions were crucial in keeping the whole country competitive over other world economies.

Heather Hancock, head of regional development at Deloitte, said: "UK businesses are thinking carefully about reshaping operations and improving their competitiveness by relocating business processes within and beyond the UK."