The UK population watches more television than almost any other country in Europe, communications watchdog Ofcom has revealed.

TV viewing figures from 2008 showed most Brits spend nearly four hours a day in front of the box - slightly higher than the 3.5 hours watched across European countries including France, Germany and the Netherlands.

However, the research showed Brits watch slightly less than viewers in Italy, Poland and Spain, while Americans were the biggest television lovers - watching an average 4.6 hours a day.

TV watching can be linked to physical inactivity, which can in turn lead to obesity - an issue which affects more adult Brits (23 per cent) than any other western European country, according to the government's Health Profile of England 2008.

To keep fit and stay in shape, the NHS recommends exercising while watching television.

Try stationing gym equipment such as an indoor rowing machine in front of the screen and working out while watching your favourite programme.

Make it a comedy and you could work out even more - the International Journal of Obesity states that laughing for just 15 minutes can burn up to 40 calories.