Mums 'spend Christmas in kitchen'

Britain's least favourite Christmas chore is washing up

More than half of all British mothers will be spending Christmas in the kitchen, according to a survey.

The study of 2,000 people found more than half (55%) of British mothers chop the vegetables while 44% of fathers carve the turkey.

London couples are least likely to share the chores, with 61% of mothers peeling the sprouts compared with 8% of fathers, the survey by Waitrose said.

Scots are the most enlightened but women there are most likely to wash up.

The study also looked at favourite Christmas chores, with 29% of respondents saying popping the champagne was their favourite.

This was followed by lighting the pudding, carving turkey, setting the table, making mulled wine and roasting chestnuts.

And the survey found Britain's least favourite festive activity was doing the washing up.