Living in a green area has a significant effect on the life satisfaction of local residents, according to a new study.

The research revealed that city dwellers with easy access to parks and other green spaces have a better quality of life than those living without such sites near to them.

People living in greener urban areas of the UK reported less mental distress and higher life satisfaction overall.

The positive impact on wellbeing was found to be roughly equal to a third of the impact of being married and equivalent to a tenth of the impact of being employed, compared with being unemployed.

Dr Mathew White, from the University of Exeter Medical School's European Centre for Environment and Human Health, in Truro, Cornwall, claimed that the findings could be important for psychologists, public health officials and urban planners.

He said: "We've found that living in an urban area with relatively high levels of green space can have a significantly positive impact on wellbeing.

"These kinds of comparisons are important for policymakers when trying to decide how to invest scarce public resources, such as for park development or upkeep, and figuring out what bang they'll get for their buck."

Researchers stated that living in a greener area has a significant effect, even when the results of the study were combined with other factors that contribute to life satisfaction.

Past studies have suggested a correlation between green space and wellbeing, but those papers were not able to rule out the possibility that people with higher levels of wellbeing simply move to residential property in greener areas.

Commenting on the new study, which is published in the journal Psychological Science, a university spokesman claimed the findings do not provide concrete evidence that moving to a greener area will boost life satisfaction.

"Research published today does not prove that moving to a greener area will necessarily cause increased happiness," he said.

"But it does fit with findings from experimental studies showing that short bouts of time in a green space can improve people's mood and cognitive functioning."

Lulu Egerton, from Strutt & Parker's Chelsea office, believes that green areas can have a positive influence on mood. "As soon as the weather gets better, buyers always 'externalise' their requirements, and want to be near a park or have a garden terrace," she said. "There is no doubt that enjoying green spaces in London can help people feel relaxed and content, so I am not surprised by the findings."