Recent government health warnings about rising levels of obesity have British people pegged as a nation of couch potatoes.

A survey by Monster, however, found that a surprising 68% of British workers exercise at least twice a week, with 23% walking or cycling to work every day.

British people, renowned for ignoring the government-recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week, are often dubbed the unhealthiest in Europe, however the Monster survey seems to show that workers are exercising much more.

A total of 45% exercise more than twice a week, while 23% walked or cycled to work every day.

Alan Townsend, chief operating officer for Monster UK and Ireland, comments: “Employers demanding early mornings and late nights from their staff should encourage exercise to show they care about the physical and mental well-being of employees.”