Many Britons 'getting just five hours of sleep a night'

Nearly a quarter of people aged 30 to 50 admitted in a survey that they are missing out on so much sleep that it could be harming their health.

Most people need at least seven and a half hours a night to function at their best.

The survey by psychologists at the University of Leeds questioned 1,024 Britons aged 18 to 80.

It found that just 3% of 30-to-50-year-olds planned to sleep just five hours a night. Most hoped to get their full eight to nine hours.

But when questioned about their previous night's sleep, almost 25% of this age group reported getting less than five hours.

Lack of sleep has been linked to anxiety, depression, diabetes, heart disease, impaired work performance and an increased risk of accidents.

The research, funded by Silentnight beds, was presented at the British Sleep Society conference taking place in Newcastle.