Thirsty work fuels tea time

Plumbers, electricians and locksmiths drink the equivalent of 1.3 bathfuls of tea every year, research suggests.

Hospitable customers offer Britain's tradespeople 3.83 cups of tea on average during every shift, which adds up to 900 cups a year.

But going beyond the call of duty on jobs means tradespeople are "almost another emergency service", Direct Line Home Response 24 - the company behind the research - said.

Elderly women are the most likely to make tea during a housecall, with 47 per cent of them offering to put the kettle on for their visitors.