Research on the impact of British organisations and brands across the world has found that the Premier League draws people to feel positively about the UK more than any other, reports www.fcbusiness.co.uk

The "British Icon Index", produced by world-leading pollsters Populus, surveyed 20,000 people from 20 different countries and territories to understand their views on 10 of the UK's best-known institutions, companies and brands.

Respondents were asked to rate each one on measures including whether they believed them to be modern, exciting, trusted, globally recognised and if they make them feel positively about the UK.

The Premier League, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, BBC and British Universities were the top-performing British icons, each of them topping the poll in at least two countries.

In the Premier League's case, it topped the Index overall, scoring highest in nine of the 20 countries.

Nearly 70% of all respondents said the League makes them feel positively about the UK, more than any other British Icon and this proportion rises to 87 per cent among Premier League followers.

"This Populus research highlights some of the fantastic organisations and institutions that help tell the story of global Britain and make people feel positively about this country," Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore said.

"At the Premier League, we aim to put on the best possible football competition and to engage fans and communities locally and globally. We benefit from having hugely popular clubs and players who attract people to our competition and to the UK.

"The positive influence football can generate was demonstrated brilliantly by the England men's national team during the World Cup. Their performance will provide a boost to the entire English game and inspire more people across the world to take an interest in our football at all levels and in the country as a whole."