How many address fields would you use for a UK database?

Question

Address records are probably used in most database, but I've seen a number of slightly different sets of fields used to store them. The number of fields seems to vary from 3-7, and sometimes all fields are simple labelled address1..addressN, other times given specific meaning (town, city, etc).

This is UK specific, though I'm open to comments about the rest of the world too. Here you need the first line of the address (actually just the number) and the post code to identify the address - everything else is mostly an added bonus.

I'm currently favouring:

• Address 1
• Address 2
• Address 3
• Town
• County
• Post Code

We could add Country if we ever needed it (unlikely).

What do you think? Is this too little, too much?

Answer 1

The Post Office suggests (http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?catId=19100182&mediaId=19100267) 7 lines:

• Addressees Name
• Company/Organisation
• Building Name
• Number of building and name of thoroughfare
• Locality Name
• Post Town
• Post Code

They then say you do not need to include a County name provided the Post Town and Postcode are used.