Barclays undertook the national probe to put together a business map of the UK to show where it is easiest to get hold of different traders and services.

It revealed that Hartlepool has the joint highest concentrations of bookies and betting shops with nearly ten times the national average adorning the streets.

Not surprisingly, Blackpool had the most bed and breakfasts while Gateshead has more than twice the average number of public houses.

Darlington also came in top for betting shops while Middlesbrough has the most chemists.

We asked the people of Hartlepool whether they thought there were too many bookies on street corners and the general opinion was yes, while reaction was split on the consequences for the community.

Ladbrokes bookmakers declined to comment on the survey.

But a spokeswoman from GamCare, that provides support, information and advice for people with gambling problems, said she does not believe that availability is necessarily linked with an increase in gambling.

Teresa Tuntsall, head of development, said: "There's no proof that availability will cause more problem gamblers."

Talking about online gambling she said: "It's interesting because you could say that if people have got computers they could do more gambling, we don't know."

She said that in September last year the law changed and the Gambling Commission deemed that all establishments should have trained staff who can provide the first step towards helping people with a problem.

She said: "Since the September, regulations have been set out by the Gambling Commission came into force and now people should enjoy having a gamble if that's what they want to do.

"But they should know of the help available from trained staff.

"Every single gambling establishment has to carry a leaflet saying where people can get help called Responsible Gambling.

"They also have to offer the availability for somebody to bar themselves called self exclusion and the minimum amount of time that a person is barred for is six months."

GamCare can be contacted on 0845 6000 133.