YORK businesses are beating challenging market conditions in a diverse set of sectors, according to a new report, revealing the city is home to 13 of Yorkshire's biggest companies.

The Yorkshire Report 2016, compiled by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP, revealed a total of 13 firms in York appear in this year's list of the region's top 250 companies, with the city's representatives reporting a collective £4.6 billion in sales.

York's top 13 employ a total of 12,700 people, with big names to receive a mention in the report including FTSE 100 house builder Persimmon, based in Fulford, and Huntington-headquartered Shepherd Group, the parent company of Portakabin.

With a nod to the city's tourism sector in light of its medieval history, the report highlighted York as also being home to a "dynamic and flourishing technology, media and telecommunications sector", with particular reference to information security expert Hocomm, which trades as SBL, Blenheim Group (Phoenix Software) and fibre optic developer Adva Optical.

Jason Whitworth, mergers and acquisitions partner for BDO in Yorkshire, said: "It is satisfying to see such a strong performance from York companies in the face of some quite challenging market conditions nationally and internationally.

"The city is home to some of Yorkshire’s biggest and best businesses, representing a diverse set of sectors.

"Their ability to generate wealth and employment helps to create confidence for all businesses to invest in the city and the wider region."

The Yorkshire Report 2016, which collated latest data from Companies House, found that mid-market firms - which sit below the top 50 - created 21,000 new jobs across the wider region last year.

The profitability of the Top 250 soared by 200 per cent to £861 million off the back of a 10 per cent increase in turnover to £24.4 billion.

The mid-market group showed confidence as they doubled business investment over the period to £2.8 billion.

Leeds was home to the greatest number of corporate headquarters in the top 250, with 48 companies generating revenues of £38.2 billion. The West Yorkshire city was followed by Sheffield, with 21, Hull at 17, and Bradford which is home to 16 of the top 250.