The number of new businesses starting up in the UK has increased by 19% compared to last year, according to data released by direct marketing company Selectabase.

From January to May 2010, Selectabase figures suggest that 36,179 new businesses started up, or approximately 240 start ups per day. The total start ups seen over the same period in 2009 was 30,445.

Over 40% of start ups were home based businesses, and the top start up locations were London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Bristol.

"Even in times of recession, there's obviously still plenty of start up activity, often as a result of redundancy, or the need to generate additional household income,” said Steve Sellwood of Selectabase.