More people were able to work from home over the Christmas break thanks to wider broadband coverage, it has been reported.

According to internet service provider TalkTalk, more than a third of the population has admitted to performing employment duties or checking work emails while on leave over the festive period.

Widespread broadband access also allowed people to catch up with their favourite TV shows over Christmas, the broadband provider found, with a fifth downloading videos or streaming on the web.

Mark Schmid from TalkTalk noted that the study was further evidence of the increasing role of broadband in home and family life.

He stated: "As recently as ten years ago most of our time over the festive period was spent with our nearest and dearest, or slumped in front of the telly.

"Now we're spending big chunks of our Christmas time playing games online, watching TV over the internet or social networking."

TalkTalk, the telecommunications arm of the Carphone Warehouse, recently completed a takeover of rival firm Tiscali.