NEARLY half of all people living in the south west DON'T wash their hands after going to the loo - because they claim they are too busy - a new survey has revealed.

Despite 72 per cent of people saying they had been shown how to wash their hands properly, 48 per cent said they 'sometimes forgot' or were just 'too busy'. And 58 per cent said they don't wash their hands for 20 seconds or more - the minimum amount of time required to clean hands effectively to avoid spreading germs.

The survey, conducted for hand-dryer firm Sterillo, discovered that 56 per cent of people in the south west wanted more infection control measures in place yet 40 per cent of them would go to work if they are sick and possibly contagious.

The survey's findings may help explain how the flu virus - which is rampaging through Dorset - is being inadvertently spread.

Sterillo discovered that more than two thirds (67 per cent) of those surveyed did not know that if someone coughs or sneezes, the highly contagious flu virus can remain on surfaces for 24 hours.

This may be why almost two thirds of respondents, 63 per cent, would like to see better hygiene education in schools, while 60 per cent said there should be campaigns on effective hand washing.

Steve Levy, whose company commissioned the survey, said: “Effective handwashing can’t be achieved in an unclean environment - even if the public did always use these facilities to wash their hands they would likely still be contaminated.

"This is why we are seeing outbreaks with viruses like flu and even worse the Aussie Flu. We need a hygiene standard in place to assist with infection control."