Cable Forum - Tradesmen & Women are the happiest

Care assistants, hairdressers, plumbers and chefs are the happiest workers in the country, according to a report.

Estate agents, media workers, accountants and electricians are among the least happy.

Around a fifth of tradesmen and women said they were "extremely happy" in their job, twice as many as white collar workers.

City & Guilds, which questioned more than 1,000 workers, said the findings showed that people in vocational careers were often the most content.

Three out of four trade professionals said their work was rewarding, compared with 68 per cent of white collar staff.

Other bonuses included not being "chained" to a desk, being your own boss and having a good social life at work.

Chris Humphries, director general at City & Guilds, said: "It's a misconception that white-collar professionals have the best jobs and are therefore the happiest.

"As our research proves, it's often people in vocational careers that are the most content and fulfilled.

"There is an increasing trend for people to swap careers to do something more hands on.

"A lot of employees are starting to realise that job satisfaction is more important than any other consideration, including money.

"You spend such a lot of time at work, it's vital to enjoy what you do."