Yorkshire men were today named and shamed as the most unhygienic in the country in a national cleanliness report.

A new survey on the hand-cleaning attitudes of men in Britain has revealed two in five men in Yorkshire – 40 per cent – admit to not cleaning their hands on a regular basis after going to the bathroom.

Not far behind them were men in Edinburgh (37 per cent) and Portsmouth (36 per cent) who practically ignore the soap and water after going to the loo.

The research was commissioned for the start of National Hand Hygiene Awareness Week today, to educate on the importance of maintaining clean hands to prevent the spreading of germs and viruses.

The UK survey of 4,000 men and women quizzed them on their hand-washing attitudes and habits.

It show nearly half – 48 per cent – of British men are unaware of the germs harboured by trains and buses, with only four in ten washing their hands when they get to work or at the end of the day.

Women are not just the fairer sex – they are cleaner too, according to the survey.

Men are less likely to clean their hands than women before cooking (72 per cent versus 83 per cent of women), after cleaning (67 per cent versus 80 per cent) and after changing nappies (30 per cent versus 45 per cent).

Men are also less likely to clean their hands if they do not look dirty.

Greg Fell, public health consultant at NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “There’s never been a more important time for people to help stop the spread of infections – and hand-washing plays a key role.

“Washing hands frequently with soap and hot water helps remove bacteria and viruses, and it is the most effective way to reduce the spread of the flu virus.

“Remember to wash hands regularly, especially before eating and after coughing, sneezing or using the bathroom.

“You can also help yourself stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections by covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue when possible and then putting it in a bin.

“Cleaning hard surfaces, such as door handles and phones, can also remove viruses and bacteria.”

e-mail: claire.lomax @telegraphandargus.co.uk