DOZENS of teachers in East Lancashire are making mistakes and losing concentration in the classroom because they are bored at work, a survey has revealed.

Staff admitted to doodling, day-dreaming and even counting windowpanes in an attempt to relieve boredom and increased stress levels.

And 15 per cent of the teachers questioned said that they turned to alcohol for comfort after a boring day in the classroom.

The revelations in a survey "Counting Window Panes" by Dr Sandi Mann, a senior lecturer in psychology from the University of Central Lancashire, were released at an occupational psychology conference in Glasgow on Thursday.

But today it was revealed that the research was compiled during the summer term last year when survey forms were sent to four high schools and colleges in Blackburn and Clitheroe and one in Runcorn.

Dr Mann, who is originally from East Lancashire, warned that the consequences of boredom could have serious implications for both staff and students and lead to higher absenteeism and high staff turnover

Large amounts of paperwork, repetitive tasks and marking were blamed for making the job dull in the study, which involved the 86 teachers of replied to the anonymous survey. And all of them said they were bored.

Half said boredom led to them making mistakes and 28per cent said they would consider leaving the profession.

They also said an increase in "red-tape," a standardised curriculum and filling in forms was stifling their creativity and making their job boring.

One teacher said that being bored at work felt "like being crushed by a heavy weight" and a another said on her boredom questionnaire that "it feels like my brain cells are slowly dying."

Some teachers passed notes to each other during meetings, replicating the behaviour of their own pupils.

Today Simon Jones, national executive member for the National Union of Teachers and a primary school teacher in Blackburn said teaching had become "like working in a factory."

He blasted the government for not only boring teachers with the curriculum but also for boring children who he said had been turned into "products on a factory conveyor belt."

Dr Mann, 37, said: "This study proves that the experience of boredom at work is not limited only to traditionally repetitive jobs such as machine operators or long-distance drivers, but to professions such as teaching.

"The consequences of teacher boredom can have serious implications for both staff and students especially when teachers admit that it causes them to make mistakes.

"If a teacher is enthusiastic and motivated their pupils will catch it. Boredom is contagious."

Former Head teacher of the Year winner, Iain Hulland, from Alder Grange Community and Technology College in Rawtenstall added: "Many teaching professionals would recognise the results of this survey.

"We know that we have the most highly trained teachers than ever before so why do they have less freedom?"

A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Skills, said that they were working to improve standards in schools by cutting the beaurocracy and basic administrative tasks that teachers find boring.

Coun Sheila Williams, a former teacher and current opposition spokesperson for education at Blackburn with Darwen said: "When I was a teacher we were given more freedom -- it was like mental gymnastics and we never had a chance to be bored.

"Teachers know what they should be teaching and how to do it so should be given more freedom to get on with it."

But Coun Dave Hollings, executive member for education and lifelong learning for Blackburn with Darwen council, said it employed 1,500 teachers in the borough and although they have often complained about being overworked and having too much paperwork to do they have never told him that they are bored.

County Coun Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for education, said:" I meet a great many teachers and I can't remember the last time they told me they were bored.

"The people I meet are keen to tell me about their achievements."