More than half of Britons believe in life after death and a third think ghosts exist

More than half of Britons believe in Heaven, according to researchers. While 55 per cent think it exists, 27 per cent believe in reincarnation, the survey of 2,060 respondents found.

Surprisingly for those who believe society has become increasingly secularised, a similar poll in 1955 showed that only 47 per cent believed in an afterlife. The latest study - published today by the theology think-tank Theos - also shows that 39 per cent believe in ghosts and 70 per cent believe there is such a thing as the human soul.

A further 22 per cent believe in astrology or horoscopes and 15 per cent believe in fortune-telling or Tarot. London had the highest proportion convinced by the supernatural, with more than half believing in ghosts. But Scotland had the highest proportion of people who believe in fortune-telling or Tarot (18 per cent) and Wales the highest of believers in reincarnation (32 per cent). (Daily Mail)