Out of 2,000 men and women questioned throughout the UK, 61% said prostitution should be decriminalised, with brothels being the favoured means to regulate the trade.

The study commissioned for an ITV documentary found that young men are the most regular users of prostitutes.

While 6% of males questioned said they had used a prostitute, the figure was 10% among 25-34-year-olds.

Widowed, divorced or separated men were the biggest users (14%), followed by single (8%) and married men (3%).

Of those who had used prostitutes 40% had done so more than once. About one in 10 of those who had not gone to a prostitute had considered it.

The greatest reason for not using prostitutes was found to be the fear of catching a disease (52%).

That came before the worry of a partner finding out (22%) or of being arrested (14%).