WORKERS from Lytham and St Annes are either very healthy, conscientious - or both ... and that's official!

According to a recent local survey into the public's attitudes to illness commissioned by insurance giant Legal & General, it was revealed 38 per cent claimed to have never taken a day off sick.

However, with 22 per cent citing pressure at work as one of the main reasons why they are loathe to take time off, the insurance group is now warning that fierce competition to get ahead could in fact be putting the health of Fylde workers in jeopardy, along with the possibility of sending them to an early grave.

A total of six per cent thought taking time off would be viewed as a weakness and three per cent admitted they would feel guilty if they stayed away from their jobs.

In addition, it emerged the attitudes of fellow work-mates also contributed as a major reason to ignore discomfort as 39 per cent of them classed employees who take lots of time off as lazy skivers.

However, when asked if they'd ever taken time off work through pretending to be ill, 18 per cent owned up to it!

Managing director of Legal and General Healthcare Duncan Hopper said: "Clearly, the stresses of modern living are influencing the way in which people seek medical help.

"Private medical insurance does take away some of that pressure, particularly, as it enables individuals to organise the timing of their treatment."

The survey was carried out by CAPIBUS on behalf of Legal & General in August.

The findings contained within this story are based on the regional findings taken from the national sample.

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