A quarter of Britons routinely allow their pets to share the same bed as a family member, according to research.

Almost one in six (16 per cent) always jump under the covers at night with their favourite animal, the poll revealed.

It also found that women are more likely than men to bed down with their pet (27 per cent compared with 22 per cent).

The ICM poll showed that pets in Scotland are most likely to be sleeping on their owners’ beds, with 37 per cent of Scots sharing their bed space with their dog or cat.

The figure is nearly double that of people in the Midlands or North of England (both 20 per cent), the research for John Lewis Insurance discovered. Some four per cent of pet owners will also make sure their animal wears pyjamas.

Those aged between 25 and 34 are twice as likely as the national average to ensure their pet has night clothes on.

John Brady, head of commercial at John Lewis Insurance, said: “Britons clearly love their cats and dogs so much that they’re increasingly willing to treat them as a member of the family and ensure they have a lifestyle they enjoy themselves.”

The research was conducted by ICM Research on behalf of John Lewis Insurance and surveyed 2,003 UK adults from February 25 to 27.