Almost a quarter of workers in the South-East never take a lunch break.

A report into the nation's eating habits while at work has shown the traditional lunch hour is disappearing fast, with the average break now lasting just 27 minutes.

The research, commissioned by leading business caterer Eurest, also reveals women and older workers are the most workaholic with an average lunch break lasting just 25 minutes, while one in four people work right through.

The results show British workers push themselves harder than their counterparts on the continent.

A similar survey conducted in France put the average lunch break at 35 minutes with more than two thirds of French workers taking the full hour every day.

Reacting to the Eurest Lunchtime Report 2004, union leaders called on the Government to give the nation's over-worked and underfed workforce a break.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "Workers who don't take long enough breaks risk damaging their health and employees who don't get away from their desks at lunchtime are not going to be very productive in the afternoon.

"Employers need to do more to make sure their staff are not so overburdened they feel unable to leave the office for more than a few minutes.

"Overworked employees who don't take decent breaks are not a business asset.

"Instead, they are positively bad for business. The Government needs to get tougher with bosses who abuse working time rules."

On the plus side, the report shows increasingly health-conscious workers are swapping unhealthy fry-ups for fruit, salad and yoghurt. One in three workers in the South is concerned about fat and calorie intake.

Jane Dean, Eurest regional managing director for the South, said: "I think people are shortening their lunch break to catch up on other things, like going on a run, visiting the gym or doing errands.

"I don't think it is serious that an average break is now 27 minutes if there are other things workers want to do."

The research showed sandwiches remain the number one lunchtime food, followed by fruit and salad.

The staff canteen is the nation's most popular lunch spot, although more than half of those questioned said there were no catering facilities where they worked.

Friday July 16, 2004