PEOPLE'S work environments could increase their chances of getting ill this Christmas, research has revealed.

A survey carried out by FluAndYou.co.uk revealed that, in Exeter, 54.9 per cent of people took three sick days this year, compared with 40.2 per cent in Devon as a whole.

The survey also revealed that 93.8 per cent of Exonians wash their hands after going to the toilet and 40.7 per cent after sneezing.

Some 34.4 per cent of Exonians would take a sick day because of tiredness.

Meanwhile, 30.1 per cent of respondents said their office equipment was cleaned daily, while 13.3 per cent said it was never cleaned.

Stefan Gaa, the director overseeing FluAndYou.co.uk, said: "With the onset of winter comes the increased likelihood of getting cold and flu, so it would be reasonable to assume that as a nation we would do all we could to keep the risk to a minimum.

"However, this does not seem to be the case — in fact the work environment could be at risk of fuelling flu outbreaks this winter."