Built on tea

Builders need about 9,500 cups of tea to build the average three- bedroom house, research claims today. Britain’s brickies get through more than three million cuppas every day, taking an average of four breaks.

Three quarters say regular tea breaks make them more productive at work. Seven out of ten say the drink has relaxing and stress-relieving properties, while 80 per cent say it helps them bond with fellow workers.

Just eight per cent of builders choose coffee over tea, a poll of 100 building firms says.