The survey showed that 54% of young women always carried condoms on a night out.

Men preferred to carry them only when they thought sex was definitely on the cards. Forty-seven per cent said they would only buy condoms after they had "pulled".

Ninety-five per cent of the men surveyed by condom manufacturer Durex said they would buy a packet if their football team won.

Most people do not mind buying condoms from a vending machine in clubs

The survey confirms previous research showing women are more likely to take the lead on contraception issues because they have more at stake.

However, a summer Health Education Authority survey on HIV/Aids showed that carrying condoms does not necessarily mean women use them.

It found that women were less likely to use condoms than men, despite being more likely to pick up HIV.

Health officials say many women are talked out of using condoms by men, who say they find condoms limit the pleasure they get from sex.

Vending machines

The Durex survey also found that a majority of people had no problem buying condoms from a vending machine in full public view in a nightclub.

Forty per cent said they would happily buy condoms at a train station. One in 10 of the people surveyed had bought condoms from vending machines.

Durex says the results show support for more vending machines to be put in public places, such as football grounds.

Amanda Tucker of Durex said: "This research confirms there is strong demand for more machines in more places, and we are working hard to meet that demand with local authorities and site owners."

The survey also found that people tended to go for condoms with the British kitemark, showing they feel safety standards are important.

Worried

The Health Education Authority said it welcomed news that people were taking safety seriously, but were worried that so many men were waiting until they had "pulled" before buying condoms.

"It's all very well waiting until you are on a 'promise', but what happens if you've successfully 'pulled' and there is nowhere to buy condoms from?" asked Katy Fitzsimon, the HEA's sexual health project manager.