British consumers would rather knock fruit and vegetables off their monthly expenditure than their broadband connection, according to new research from BT.

Some 57 per cent of respondents to the survey said they would refuse to give up their broadband connection, and just 43 per cent said they could not live without fresh produce.

TV host and personal finance expert Alvin Hall said the figures were not as “absurd” as they looked. "Clearly fresh fruit and vegetables should be top of everyone's must have list, but staying connected offers a vital lifeline in this 24/7 society we all now live in," he said.