PEOPLE living and working in York officially need to lighten up.

Ranked as one of the UK’s most serious cities, research by Wall’s Ice Cream said that people spend a shocking 227 days a year being serious instead of letting their hair down and having some fun.

56 per cent said they couldn’t enjoy themselves for worrying about finances, their work and commuting leaving them feeling bored, old and sad according to the research.

The city was named as the fifth most serious, with Portsmouth being crowned the most serious city in the country.

The top 10 serious vocations were also listed - so if you work in the cultural and sporting activities sector you’re officially among the most serious people living in York.