THE UK is the world's favourite nation but its people are the "most boring", an international poll claims.

More than 25,000 people from 35 countries rated "brand UK" as tops in a survey that considered individual nations' culture, people, and tourism potential.

Views of countries' popularity as a place to invest in or migrate to were also sought in the poll, carried out by international marketing company GMI and branding expert Simon Anholt.

But while UK citizens were considered to be the most polite and best educated, they were also rated the most boring.

The French were seen as the rudest and Americans the most ignorant and ambitious.

The UK's overall number one position came after it was voted first on investment, third on sports and cultural heritage, fourth for having "highly- skilled citizens", and eighth for tourism.

Second overall was Switzerland, with Canada third, Italy fourth and Sweden fifth.