Online survey finds British workers over-stretched and underwhelmed by long hours

Four out of 10 British workers claim they work more than 60 hours a week, research has revealed.

A study of 1,000 people by social networking site Realbuzz.com found that 38% worked above average hours, while 75% claimed that work had a negative effect on their free time.

The news comes as ministers failed to agree on conditions for an opt-out from a maximum 48-hour work week as part of the EU's working time directive.

Realbuzz.com marketing director Fiona Gibbins said: "It's staggering to see how strongly the British public feels about work impacting on their free time and ultimately getting in the way of them enjoying a pastime."