[attach id=277222 size="medium"]Photo: Chris Ison/PA Wire[/attach] 

Workers are taking fewer breaks than a decade ago, spending less than 20 minutes a week away from their desks to have a coffee or cup of tea, according to new research.

A UK study of 2,000 office employees found that most had a mid-morning or afternoon drink at their desk.

More than four out of five said they did not have a regular, daily coffee break from work, even though many believed it would help reduce stress levels.

Letty Edwards of Fox’s Biscuits, which conducted the research, said a five-minute break from work for a drink should be "a moment to be savoured".

Office temporary admin staff and mechanics were found to drink the most coffee, at up to six cups a day.